KABUL - The Wolesi Jirga -- lower house of parliament -- on Monday failed to approve proposed amendments to the house internal procedures due to a lack of quorum.
A bill seeking changes to Rule 11 of the procedures was presented before the house by the legislative commission’s head, Nazir Ahmad Hanafi, during Monday’s session.

Under the rule, the speaker and administrative board members can be dismissed with a one-third majority after an absolute decision of an authorized court.
Grounds for their dismissal include "committing treason, crimes against humanity or an incurable disease that prevents the performance of duties.”

Hanafi said the amended draft suggested the speaker’s impeachment and dismissal of house members with the approval of a one-third majority.
In addition to the aforementioned circumstances, he said, the speaker could be disqualified if he remained absent from house sessions for 20 days on the trot.

But Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said the proposed changes were in conflict with Articles 25, 27 and 106 of the Constitution.
Article 25 says: "Innocence is the original state, an accused person is considered innocent until convicted by an authorized court."

Article 27 states: "No act is considered a crime, unless determined by a law adopted prior to the date of the offense. No person can be detained but in accordance with provisions of law.
“No person can be punished but in accordance with the decision of an authorized court and in conformity with the law adopted before the date of the offense."

Ibrahimi said since the draft was in conflict the Constitution, it should be referred to the Independent Commission for Overseeing the Implementation of Constitution (ICOIC). But a majority of MPs opposed his remarks.
Concluding the debate, the speaker said as a two-thirds of the 249 members were not present, the issue was being postponed to the next session. Only 130 MPs were present. (Pajhwok)