With some of Afghanistan’s most prominent and popular figures out of the running and opposition forces deeply divided, most bets are on Hamid Karzai to win another five-year presidential term in spite of increasing public dissatisfaction with his governing abilities after seven years in power.

On the surface, the field of candidates looks wide open. By last week’s deadline, 44 people had formally registered to run in the August polls, including former cabinet ministers, anti-Soviet militia leaders and a variety of little-known hopefuls.