KABUL (SW): The Wolesi Jirga (lower house) on Saturday failed to name its representatives for a joint commission of the two houses to confer over the Presidential decree on electoral reforms.
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani’s decree on electoral reforms was rejected by the WJ two months ago but the Masharano Jirga (upper house) later approved it. This difference of opinion by the parliament now requires a joint commission of the two houses to confer and come-up with a final decision.
A body of the WJ had recommended Mohammad Hassan Sharifi, Ghulam Sarwar Faiz, Engineer Zakarya, Lalay Hameedzai, Kamal Nasir Usoli, Humaira Ayubi, Mousa Nusrat, Mullah Sayed Mohammad, Abdul Qadir Zazai and Abdul Sattar Khawasi as its representatives for the joint commission. The house however, did not approve these names.
After the voting, Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, speaker of the house announced that a majority of the members have rejected the names. A number of parliamentarians alleged that those members of the house have rejected the move which are against the Presidential decree. Members urged upon nominating neutral members to the joint commission. Farhad Azimi, a member of the house said on the occasion that the prevailing situation in the country demands that sensible and neutral members should be referred to the joint commission.
Electoral reforms are among the fundamental points of political agreement between the President and his Chief Executive Officer but over a year and half since the Government of National Unity is formed, no significant headway has been made so far.
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