KABUL: Afghanistan’s election battle lines are taking shape with several prominent politicians, including President Hamid Karzai’s main challenger in a presidential poll last October, registering to run for parliament. A UN-Afghan election commission published preliminary candidate lists this weekend, posting names in all provincial capitals and on its Web site for scrutiny.

In all, 2,884 people, 342 of them women, have signed up to run for the 249-seat lower house, known as the Wolesi Jirga, a commission official said on Sunday.

“We have reports from around the country that a large number of people came to see the lists,” the commission’s chief of operations, Richard Atwood, told a news conference.

The Sept 18 election is the next big step on Afghanistan’s difficult path to stability but worry about security has mounted after a wave of clashes between Taliban insurgents and US forces.

The government says the enemies of Afghanistan want to disrupt the vote.

But the election will require a big security operation not only to prevent rebel violence but also to stop intimidation by regional strongmen vying for power in Afghanistan’s fledgling democracy as it emerges from 25 years of conflict.

Candidates must be Afghan and over 25. People who have been convicted of crimes against humanity or who belong to non-official armed forces are barred. People in top government jobs must resign if they want to run.

Anyone can challenge a candidate until Thursday, Atwood said.

HOLY WARRIORS: The main election issues are expected to be security and government efforts to end the Taliban insurgency, frustration over slow reconstruction, US relations and the role of Islam.