There are eight contenders battling it out in Afghanistan's presidential elections.<br/> <br />But political observers have pinpointed three they say are the most likely to win.<br/> <br />Former foreign minister Zalmai Rassoul has been one of the closest confidantes of incumbent President Hamid Karzai.<br/> <br />He's also held security roles.<br/> <br />Critics say he'd lack the strength and independence to make a break from the old administration accused of perpetuating a culture of corruption and inefficiency.<br/> <br />Abdullah Abdullah's been in the race before.<br/> <br />He came second after Karzai in the 2009 elections but withdrew from the run-off citing concerns about mass vote fraud.<br/> <br />He's also a former foreign minister but is best known for championing the rights of Afghan Tajiks, the country's second largest ethnic group.<br/> <br />And then there's Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.<br/> <br />The U.S.-trained anthropologist returned to Afghanistan after the Taliban was toppled.<br/> <br />He's held several government po
