BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Afghanistan's presidential election campaign has begun in preparation for voting October 9, when 17 candidates will challenge President Hamid Karzai in the country's first nationwide poll.

    BBC reports a lack of funds among the candidates, and the threat of attacks by Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters will make the campaign a low-key affair.

    Masooda Jalal, the only woman standing in the election, has planned a rally for Tuesday in Kabul, which is scheduled to be attended only by women.

    Karzai is tipped to win the poll. His main challenger is Yunus Qanooni, who stepped down as education minister in order to run.

    More than 10 million Afghans have registered for the October election.

(CRIENGLISH.com)