KABUL – Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Dr AbdullahAbdullah joined a field of 17 candidates for July’s presidential electionas nominations closed yesterday.
Other prominent contenders for the post include Hanif Atmar, who resignedas national security adviser last year because of differences with Mr Ghanion policy issues, as well as former warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.
Each candidate has two vice presidents also running on their ticket.
The July 20 election is being held three months late because of securityconcerns and to fix logistical problems faced in Afghanistan’sparliamentary elections in October.
Read Top Stories
After weeks of rapidly shifting alliances among the main political players,Mr Ghani named one of his sternest critics, former spy chief AmrullahSaleh, as his pick for first vice president.
Mr Saleh was appointed interior minister last month but resigned onSaturday to be able to register for the election.
