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Symbolizing Afghanistan’s candidates

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One of the most difficult logistical hurdles faced by elections organizers in Afghanistan is illiteracy. In some areas of the country, female illiteracy rates can run as high as 85%, and male rates up to 55%. And so the Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) devised a system of symbols, or pictograms, for each and every one of the more than 5,500 candidates standing for office. This is not the first time the country has used the system. At right, you can see a sample from the 2005 Afghan parliamentary elections. And its not just on the ballots. The candidates were also busy trying to send the right message with their choice of clothes. The World’s Jeb Sharp reports.

Click here for an article on the 2005 pictograms.

Click here for a New York Times slideshow: “Sartorial Stumping.”