KABUL, July 27 (AFP) - Afghanistan's election commission unveiled a preliminary list of 23 candidates including President Hamid Karzai who will contest October elections.
The Joint Electoral Management Body would hear objections from the public and confirm a final list of candidates on August 10.
"The JEMB will study the contents of citizen's objections with great attention and consult relevant authorities to verify candidates' eligibility before reaching any decision on candidacies," the electoral commission said in a statement.
In addition to incumbent and favourite Karzai, education minister Yunus Qanooni stepped down in order to run for president and claimed the backing of powerful Defence Minister Mohammed Qasim Fahim and Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.
Another well-known contender was northern warlord General Abdul Rashid Dostam, who has been deeply involved in factional fighting around the main northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif in recent months.
Mohammed Mohaqeq, militia commander and leader of the ethnic minority Hazara faction, also entered the race.
Other candidates include former veterans of the anti-Soviet war Ahmad Shah Ahmadzai and Sayed Ishaq Gilani and former Northern Alliance general Adbul Hafiz Mansoor.
Another candidate, Abdul Satar Sirat could also emerge as a rival if some militia leaders are disqualified or decide not to stand.
A former minister of justice and deputy vice president under former king Zahir Shah in the 1970s, university lecturer Sirat returned to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban in late 2001 and still commands great respect.
Poet Adbul Latif Pedram and female doctor Masooda Jalal also filed their nominations.
Another 13 lesser known candidates also filed their nominations as presidential candidates.