Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah face off again for Afghanistan presidency

AVA- Other prominent contenders for the post include Hanif Atmar, who resigned as national security adviser last year citing differences with Mr Ghani on policy issues, and 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 security concerns as well as to allow more time to resolve logistical problems faced in the parliamentary elections in October.
After weeks of rapidly shifting alliances among the main political players, Mr Ghani named one of his sternest critics, former spy chief Amrullah Saleh, as his pick for first vice president. Mr Saleh was appointed interior minister last month but resigned on Saturday to be able to register for the election.
“Even as a critic of this government, I must say Ashraf Ghani has made a very smart move by bringing Mr Saleh on board,” said Ejaz Malikzada, a political analyst.
He said allying with Mr Saleh would silence some of Mr Ghani's opponents or even win their support.
“As interior minister for the past 27 days, Mr Saleh has already shown that he can work alongside Mr Ghani and deliver results,” Mr Malikzada said.
He was referring to drastic reforms Mr Saleh introduced such giving more power to the police while imposing stricter accountability from officials, and acting against VIP culture.
Mr Ghani was declared winner of the 2014 presidential election after a run-off vote against Mr Abdullah, who accused his rival of fraud and refused to accept the result. Mr Abdullah relented after the United States brokered an agreement for a national unity government under which he was given the newly created post of chief executive.
For this election Mr Abdullah has the support of the Junbish party led by former warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, which gives him the support of Afghanistan's Uzbek minority, and the Wahdat party of Karim Khalili, former vice president and a leader of the Hazara ethnic minority.