The shape of Afghanistan's new and democratic government was set out in the constitution approved in January 2004 by Afghan elders and local dignitaries.

The constitution established Afghanistan as an Islamic republic where men and women have equal rights and duties before the law.

Hamid Karzai won the country's first direct elections for president in 2004 and has been the target of a number of assassination attempts - the latest in June 2007. The first parliamentary and provincial elections since the fall of the Taleban were held in September 2005.

In 2006, three multi-ethnic opposition blocs, including jihadis, leftists, independents and women, were formed.

The Independent Electoral Commission is proposing a modified mixed proportional representation system.