KABUL (PAN): The first female announcing her candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections Saturday vowed to follow the policies of former President late Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan if voted into power.

"I announce my candidacy for presidential polls to strengthen democratic values of the country based on the constitution" the first female candidate and MP Shahla Atta said while addressing a press conference on Saturday.

About her decision to contest polls Shahla said she took the decision on the appeals of a number of Afghans both inside and outside of Afghanistan.

She said she would strive for the unity of Afghanistan and would follow the policies initiated by late Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan for the country.

She also released an election manifesto consisting on 19 articles and promised to inform the media of her future policy plans for the country.

She promised to speed up the process of reconstruction, make education compulsory, provide free treatment to drug addicts, provision of easy and prompt justice, judicious use of foreign aid, strengthening the economy and other sectors of the country if voted into power.

She hoped of her success in the contest saying her decision was on the demands of Afghan and added that they would definitely vote her into power.

Shahla Atta, 47 is a graduate female candidate from Kandahar province was born in the capital Kabul and representative of the people of Kabul.

The presidential polls are planed to be held on August 20.

frm/ajr