4 October 2004 -- Just two of the 18 candidates registered to compete in this week's presidential election in Afghanistan showed up for a scheduled public debate in the capital today, AFP reported.
Afghan Transitional Administration Chairman Hamid Karzai did not come to the debate, and neither did the man whom most consider to be his strongest rival in election, former Interior and Education Minister Mohammad Yunos Qanuni.
Only Abdul Satar Sirat and Wakil Mangal, six presidential running mates, and one candidate's representative took part in the debate, which focused on corruption, war crimes, and the future of the country.
Fewer than 100 people turned up to watch the debate live, sponsored by the Afghanistan Foundation for Culture and Civil Society.
Polling for the first of a possible two-round election is scheduled for 9 October.
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