Afghan presidential elections, 2004

An election to the office of President of Afghanistan is due to be held on October 9, 2004. The date was set on July 5. The elections have so far twice been postponed, originally from June to September, then back to October.

Declared candidates include Hamid Karzai, the current provisional president.

Afghan presidential elections, 2004

Afghanistan to for elections in June 2004
24 Nov 2003, Kabul
The War-hit Afghanistan is expected to go for elections in June 2004. This was announced by the Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The draft constitution outlines a strong presidential system and does away with the post of prime minister in a bid to prevent infighting and rivalry between the two positions undermining the state.

About Government in Afghanistan
The interim constitution negotiated in 1993 provided for a president and a leadership council to govern in tandem with a prime minister and a cabinet drawn from the 205-member parliament. The supreme court functioned under shari’a (Islamic law).

Much has changed, however, since the religious Taliban movement gained control of Kabul in September 1996 and ousted the president. It now wields power over most of the country. The government is still in transition.