Presidential Candidates

16. Mas'uda JALAL Born: 1963 (Hegira 1342) in the eastern Kapisa Province (just north of Kabul) Political Affiliation: independent First Vice-Presidential Running Mate in 2004: Mir Habib Sohaili Second Vice-Presidential Running Mate in 2004: Sayyed Mohammad Alem Amini

The only woman among the presidential hopefuls in 2004, Jalal placed sixth in the balloting with 1.1 percent of the vote. Jalal is a trained pediatrician. She has an unclear power base, and her greatest strength arguably lies in the fact that four in 10 registered voters are women.     In her presidential bid, Jalal prioritized the elimination of official corruption, the battle against discrimination, and efforts to bolster national unity (Afghanistan Television). Jalal suggested last year that Afghanistan had a "golden opportunity" to make strides toward ending its persistent suffering with the international community's increased attention and the ouster of the Taliban regime at the end of 2001, but she blamed Hamid Karzai's administration for failing to "respond to the expectations of the people and of donor countries" (Afghanistan Television). She also labeled the Transitional Administration "one of the least successful administrations in the history of Afghanistan," citing a lack of transparency, corruption, and nepotism.     Jalal is one of four candidates who did not join the August call for Karzai to resign his Transitional Administration chairmanship to run in the presidential election, however. SOURCES: JEMB; RFE/RL; Radio Free Afghanistan; Ludwig W. Adamec, "Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan"; Martin Ewans, "Afghanistan: A Short History of Its People and Politics"; and as noted.