DHAKA: The campaign for Afghanistan’s presidential election has been formally launched, with rallies for key candidates in the capital, Kabul.

The election is scheduled to take place on 5 April.

There are 11 candidates to replace Hamid Karzai, who cannot stand again.

Security is the major issue, with the Taliban threatening to target the campaign. Two workers for candidate Abdullah Abdullah were shot dead in the western city of Herat on Saturday.

Thousands of people attended rallies in halls in Kabul on Sunday as the campaign started, with posters now dotted around the city.

All the candidates have been given armoured vehicles and security guards.

Academic Ashraf Ghani, who is running with former Uzbek warlord Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum and ethnic Hazara tribal chieftain Sarwar Danish as vice-presidents, promised at his rally to bring reforms, reports the BBC.

BDST: 2115 HRS, FEB 02, 2014