KABUL?Afghan President Hamid Karzai Sunday honored three women with the title Mother of the Year, including a posthumous recognition for a centenarian with some 500 descendants.

Bibi Tabo, 107, passed away six months ago but her medal was given to her son at a ceremony in Kabul Sunday.

Husan Bano Ghazanfar, the minister of women's affairs, told a gathering of women at the ceremony that Tabo had around 500 children and grandchildren.

"This year we announce three mothers as mothers of the year," Ghazanfar told the audience.

Among the other recipients was Bibi Sakina, who is known for her active role and hard work in her community in western Herat province, Ghazanfar said.

Illiterate Fatima Asir was also honored after raising nine children, six sons and three daughters and ensuring they received a good education despite financial constraints.

Among her children are an Afghan ambassador, university lecturer, doctor, engineer and an official in a senior post in the president's office.

Ghazanfar announced that Afghanistan would honor some women every year giving them the title of Mother of the Year.

Meanwhile President Karzai called on Afghan mothers to encourage their sons and daughters to vote in the upcoming August 20 polls.

"My request from all mothers is to encourage their children who have completed 18 years of age to go to the polling stations and vote," Karzai said.

Karzai said voters should ignore interference from government officials and told people to vote for who ever they wanted to.

"Free, fair and transparent elections make a stable government in Afghanistan and any one who wins such an election is for the good of the country," he said.

On Monday two months of campaigning will be officially launched with Karzai battling two other strong candidates, both members of his cabinet, Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.