'I will not participate in the election,' Dr Abdullah reportedly told supporters after calling an loya jirga, or grand assembly of elders.
The president's rival said his demands for a fraud-free election had not been met.
Dr Abdullah had asked for several ministers accused of vote-rigging to be sacked before the second vote, due to be held on November 7th.
US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has already said a vote without Dr Abdullah's participation would not be 'unprecedented' and the result would still be legitimate.
Dr Abdullah has not called for a boycott of the election and there is growing speculation the rivals could broker a power-sharing deal instead.
The US wants to see a legitimate government in power before committing more troops to the region.
The president's rival said his demands for a fraud-free election had not been met.
Dr Abdullah had asked for several ministers accused of vote-rigging to be sacked before the second vote, due to be held on November 7th.
US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has already said a vote without Dr Abdullah's participation would not be 'unprecedented' and the result would still be legitimate.
Dr Abdullah has not called for a boycott of the election and there is growing speculation the rivals could broker a power-sharing deal instead.
The US wants to see a legitimate government in power before committing more troops to the region.
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