Suicide bombers attack a building close to the home of Ashraf Ghani, a leading candidate in Afghanistan's presidential elections.

The focus of the attack was the provincial election head quarters.

But Ghani's house was also hit and a gun battle raged with insurgents as security guards tried to protect his home.

(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) ZOHRA NAWABI, PROVINCIAL COUNCIL CANDIDATE; SAYING:

"The purpose of this attack is to disrupt the upcoming election process, as we are all hearing the gunfire I urge the people of Afghanistan to recognize the enemies. We should not keep silent; we should all stand against the brutal act of our enemies."

Gun fire could still be heard an hour later in the area, which was cordoned off by police.

Ghani, a former World Bank official was not at home at the time.

The attack is the latest in the run-up to the 5 April election to choose a successor to Hamid Karzai.

The Taliban, which has claimed responsibility, is boycott