MAZAR-I-SHARIF: The burly general stood a little uncertainly before the roaring crowd in Mazar-i-Sharif. For 20 years Abdul Rashid Dostum had built up a reputation for ruthlessness , the Uzbek general who imposed his will on northern Afghanistan from the turret of a tank.

Now, in the approach to the presidential election in Afghanistan, the warlord had come to politely solicit votes. "I am here because of you," he said. "I see a future when leaders respect their people. I see peace in Afghanistan."

Then, in a dramatic flourish worthy of any western spin-doctor, he leapt on to a waiting horse and galloped away in the manner of a medieval lord. Almost three years after the US bombed the Taliban out of power promising peace and stability, Afghanistan takes a wavering step towards democracy when 17 candidates, including the interim leader and runaway favourite Hamid Karzai, stand in the presidential election. More than 11 million people in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran have registered to vote.

Gen Dostum is the least likely of the putative democrats. Several unsavoury warlords have swapped their fatigues for a politician's shirt, tie and plastic smile, but many find his candidacy galling.

A banner over his rostrum proclaims him a "kind man" but local history suggests otherwise. His troops are accused of suffocating hundreds of Taliban prisoners in sweltering shipping containers in late 2001, with other alleged abuses including raping young children. But it is feared that the gunmen will try to swing the poll his way.

Voters fear the warlords more than the Taliban insurgents, Human Rights Watch said last week in a report describing a "pervasive atmosphere of repression and fear". It singled out Gen Dostum as a specific threat. But local human rights officials have recorded only a handful of cases of intimidation. "The situation is better than elsewhere in the country," said Mobarak Razee of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission. "We are expecting a good election."

A European official in Mazar said the intimidation appeared to be limited to isolated cases in remote villages. "The commanders' power seems to be weakened," he said. "People seem to realize this ballot will be secret and free."

Gen Dostum has run a vigorous vote-winning drive in an otherwise colourless campaign. Most other candidates have canvassed little in public, spending their time courting tribal leaders over cups of tea or attempting backroom deals with stronger candidates.

Mr Karzai has been encased in a security bubble for fear of Taliban attacks. He held just two rallies before campaigning closed on Thursday. In contrast Gen Dostum has taken to the road.

He has held 10 big rallies and printed posters in seven languages. Some depict an avuncular politician; some a horseback warrior against a blazing sunset; others a pensive visionary gazing toward the future.

The variety reflects his flexible attitude to principle and ideology. Originally a communist trade union official, he has changed sides numerous times to maintain his power. "Communist, mujahideen, Taliban, freedom fighter, now an aspiring democrat - it's a fantastic CV," a western diplomat in Kabul said wryly.

Known as the Lion of Mazar, Gen Dostum enjoys considerable support among his Uzbek people. Qodrat Ullah, a former militiaman at the Mazar rally, said: "Nobody wants to fight any more. And Dostum will definitely be our president."

Mr Ullah will probably be disappointed. Analysts say the general is looking for as many votes as he can get, probably with an eye to demanding a future cabinet post. But it remains unclear whether he has broken with his violent past.

To qualify as a presidential candidate he had to sever his ties with local commanders. But only about 500 of an estimated 3,000 soldiers have demobilized, and few doubt that he remains the de facto leader.

"There's no doubt the soldiers still listen to him. He's like a god to them," Vikram Bhatia, a demobilization officer, said. Diplomats, analysts and UN officials argue that keeping warlords "inside the tent" is crucial to removing the gun from Afghan politics, dis-tasteful as Gen Dostum's past may be.To Gen Dostum's battle-hardened soldiers demobilization is a sensitive topic.

This week several dozen officers from his 8 Corps waited to hand in their uniforms at Qala-i-Jhangi, the mud-walled military fort outside Mazar. Many said they felt angry and abandoned.

Officials are learning lessons for the parliamentary elections planned for April, which are expected to be much more keenly contested and more difficult to organize. -Dawn/The Guardian News Service.