"Cheragh" expresses disappointment over the fact that "disqualifications will be announced just one day before the elections." That situation, the paper argues, will serve to heighten tensions. "The names of those [disqualified] candidates should be announced now so that they can defend themselves against the accusations," "Cheragh" concludes.

["Cheragh" is an independent daily that has been generally critical of the post-Taliban administrations.]

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The "Erada" daily also focuses on candidates and their legitimacy in an 8 September editorial. The paper advises that "the electoral commission should have set some accepted, appropriate, and immutable standards for candidates and [it] should have disqualified those accused of wrongdoing by the people."

Some candidates are lacking the educational standards to fill the posts for they are competing, the paper claims. In the end, "Erada" recommends that "people vote for [candidates] who are patriotic and who have higher education and knowledge."

["Erada" (Intention) is an independent daily originally launched as a weekly in Peshawar, Pakistan in 2000. It moved to Kabul and subsequently re-launched as a daily at the end of 2002. "Hewad" (Country) is a state-funded, Pashtu-language daily whose origins date back to 1949.]

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The Kabul-based "Arman-e Melli" warns of the danger to Afghanistan's nascent democracy of government failure to address the problem of disbanded military officers and militia groups. In an editorial titled "Anger Of Dismissed Officers Shakes Ivory Tower Of Democracy" on 5 September, the paper encourages action to address the long-running grievances of former officers and ex-mujahedin but also condemns violence as a tool of protest.

"Don't the authorities realize that violence and chaos will follow if they don't heed the peaceful demands of the people today?" the paper asks.

"If this situation lasts, it will shake the ivory tower of democracy," "Arman-e Melli" cautions. "The consequences will prove unpleasant for the country if this kind of danger is not taken seriously or if the issue is addressed in a cavalier fashion. But we urge the esteemed demonstrators never to commit any illegal acts."

The paper continues: "Even if the government fails to address their problem, our esteemed countrymen should keep in mind that hostility and opposition to the electoral process, or a failure to participate, will not bear fruit."

["Arman-e Melli" (Hope of the Nation) is an independent Dari and Pashtu daily that was founded by the Afghan Interim Authority in 2002.]

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The Herat-based "Pagha" chides the current government and state institutions for allegedly neglecting the plight of Afghan refugees in neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan. In an editorial titled provocatively "Why Are Afghans Humiliated In Pakistan?" on 7 September, the paper wonders aloud whether the new Afghan legislature might focus more attention on the refugee problem.

"The plight of Afghan refugees in neighboring countries -- particularly Pakistan -- has deteriorated," "Pagha" argues. "Their problems are growing more serious by the day but, unfortunately, neither [official] institutions nor the government has taken serious action to resolve their problems."

The paper goes on to accuse Islamabad of "acting against the will of the Afghan state" and "doing nothing" despite pledges to improve the lot of Afghans in Pakistan.

"Pagha" urges the Afghan government to do more to help refugees, but ultimately looks to institutions that will arise following this month's elections.

"These Afghans are drowning in a sea of pain and misery, and, Afghan citizens, they expect senior Afghan officials to pay sufficient attention to their plight," the paper says. "Otherwise, they must hope that the future parliament addresses their problems as a priority and does not forget them."

["Pagha" is an independent, Dari-language publication based in the western province of Herat.]