Mohammad Mohaqiq, the second deputy chief executive, has parted his ways with presidential candidate Mohammad Haneef Atmar and joined Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah’s campaign. 

Mr. Mohaqiq, who is the chairman of the People’s Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan, was Mr. Abdullah’s running mate as his second vice president in the 2014 presidential election.

Mr. Abdullah in a social media page said Mohammad Mohaqiq will be by his side in the upcoming election.

First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, head of the High Peace Council Mohammad Karim Khalili, Acting Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani are key political figures who are supporting Mr. Abdullah’s campaign.

Mr. Mohaqiq joined the “Peace and Moderation” team led by presidential candidate Mohammad Haneef Atmar, but the team faced internal rift and collapsed.

The presidential election is scheduled for September 28. Now, sixteen candidates have remained in the presidential race.