KABUL -- Abdullah Abdullah, a former challenger to incumbent Afghan President Hamid Karzai, has entered next year's presidential race.
Abdullah said he registered as a candidate with the Independent Election Commission in Kabul on October 1. The election is slated for April 5, 2014.
Abdullah, a former foreign minister, is leading the main opposition group, the National Coalition of Afghanistan. He was Karzai's main opponent in the 2009 election but dropped out ahead of a runoff vote following allegations of massive fraud in the first round.
Abdullah is the most prominent political figure so far to register as candidate for the election ahead of the October 6 deadline. On Monday, former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani announced that he plans to run.
Karzai is barred from running after serving two terms.
Abdullah said he registered as a candidate with the Independent Election Commission in Kabul on October 1. The election is slated for April 5, 2014.
Abdullah, a former foreign minister, is leading the main opposition group, the National Coalition of Afghanistan. He was Karzai's main opponent in the 2009 election but dropped out ahead of a runoff vote following allegations of massive fraud in the first round.
Abdullah is the most prominent political figure so far to register as candidate for the election ahead of the October 6 deadline. On Monday, former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani announced that he plans to run.
Karzai is barred from running after serving two terms.
