Afghan poll's low-key campaign

By Soutik Biswas BBC News Online correspondent in Kabul

Repeated applause for the only woman candidate

Afghanistan's presidential election campaign began with a small public meeting in a war-ravaged neighbourhood in the capital, Kabul.

The rally was organised by Masooda Jalal, the only woman among 17 candidates who are challenging interim president Hamid Karzai in the 9 October vote.

"I am your servant. We all share each other's happiness and sorrow. If I win and become the president of Afghanistan, it will be a great honour for the women of the country," Ms Jalal told those present.

About 100 women and children had gathered to hear her speak in a partially destroyed mud-brick bakery run by women in the Dehmazang area in the west of the city.

'Free of corruption'

Ms Jalal had arrived quietly in a Toyota pick-up accompanied by her running mate, 75-year-old science teacher Mir Habib Sohaili, and a few minders. They were practically the only men present.

If I win, our society will be free of corruption. I am against any kind of law breaking and any other evil activity Candidate Masooda Jalal

There were no cheering crowds outside the bakery to greet Ms Jalal, who made her way briskly into the small, cramped building.

She was introduced to her audience as "a good Muslim who has been to the Haj, helped in building this bakery, and someone who continued doing good work during the Taleban rule".

Ms Jalal stood on a raised foyer in the bakery and spoke for about 10 minutes. The audience repeatedly clapped.

"You must remember that I am one of you. I too come from the oppressed people of Afghanistan," she said.

"May Allah help you to win!" screamed a blue burkha-clad woman in the audience.

Ms Jalal promised changes if she were elected.

"If I win, our society will be free of corruption. I am against any kind of law breaking and any other evil activity."

'Ointment for Afghan wounds'

The 41-year-old paediatrician, who loves using medical metaphors, said she would like to apply "ointment to heal the wounds of Afghanistan".

Ms Jalal wants to heal Afghan wounds

After she finished, some elders in the audience said: "We wish you a long life, as servant of the people."

A rare man in the audience then approached Ms Jalal before breaking down.

"Thieves and robbers have destroyed the country. I have lost everything, including my house," he said.

After the meeting, Ms Jalal mingled with the crowd, speaking to the women there, and greeting others outside the bakery.

Her modest two-vehicle convoy then sped away into Kabul's rush-hour morning traffic.

'Invisible' election

These elections are intended to be a landmark in efforts to build democracy in Afghanistan, but the run-up to the campaign has been extremely low-key in Kabul and elsewhere.

Apart from some small posters with photographs of some of the candidates, there is nothing else to indicate to an outsider that the country's first election is merely four weeks away.

Most of the candidates say they are going to open campaign offices now, and hold media briefings.