Afghanistan to hold presidential polls
Updated on 29 January 2009
Afghanistan is to head to the polls later in the year, the chief of the election commission said.
The August 20 election is only the second time in history the troubled nation has held democratic polls to choose a head of state.
President Hamid Karzai has strongly hinted he will run for re-election, but his popularity has waned due to widespread official corruption and continued domestic terrorism.
Karzai, an ethnic Pashtun from the south, has led Afghanistan since US-led and Afghan forces toppled the Taliban in the wake of the September 11 attacks, first as head of an interim administration, then winning elections in 2004.
But since then, the Taliban regrouped and relaunched their insurgency to overthrow Karzai's government and drive out foreign troops, with guerrilla attacks and hundreds of suicide and roadside bomb attacks.
According to the constitution, the elections should be held by May, but officials it would not be possible as this would require organisation during the winter when large parts of the country are inaccessible.
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