KABUL - A number of lawmakers on Saturday expressed concern over the unknown fate of a presidential legislative decree on the composition, duties responsibilities and powers of the two election commissions, stressing a prompt approval of the decree.
Under the decree, the selection committee, tasked with nominating members of the two electoral bodies, would be comprised of as members heads of both houses of parliament.
Others members would Supreme Court judge and representatives of the Oversight Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution, the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) and two civil society groups.
Daud Kalakani, a Wolesi Jirga member, told today’s session that he supported the president’s decree which he believed could resolve problems concerning the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC), if approved.
“Lawmakers should express their views and suggestions about the decree and prepare it for approval,” he said.
Mirbat Khan Mangal, a lawmaker from Khost province, said: “It is our request to the parliament to approve the decree as soon as possible and clear its fate from being unknown.”
Outspoken lawmaker Ramazan Bashardost said a number of lower house members who had connections in the government did not want the decree to be approved.
He said these lawmakers were against the conduct of elections and against the approval of the decree, which he said was also in the interest of those lawmakers.
“Even if the decree is approved, it would pave the way for the parliamentary elections to be conducted in next two or three years,” he said.
Wolesi Jirga Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said the decree had been shared with the house special commission for study and with other commissions for suggestions. He said the house panels would prepare the decree for a vote after studying it.
Article 79 of the Constitution says: “During parliament recess, the government shall, in case of an immediate need, issue legislative decrees except in matters related to budget and financial affairs. Legislative decrees, after endorsement by the president, shall need parliament’s approval.” (Pajhwok)