Replacements for resigning MPs soon: IEC

KABUL), the panel said on Wednesday.

Runners-up in the previous parliamentary elections, winning the highest number of votes among the unsuccessful candidates, would replace the resigning lawmakers, IEC spokesman Noor Mohammad Noor told Pajhwok Afghan News.

But Wolesi Jirga Secretary Eng. Syed Ikram said no replacements had so far been introduced to the Wolesi Jirga, or lower house, several members of which stood down recently.

Syed Ishaq Gilani, Syed Husain Anwari, Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf, Mohammad Mohaqiq, Shah Abdul Ahad Afzali, Syed Husain Alami Balkhi and Ibrahim Qasimi have resigned their positions.

They would be replaced by Qudratullah Sahak, Haji Mehdawi, Zamarak Padkhwabi, Ihsan Sahibzada, Abdul Qadar Zazai, Abdul Wali Niazai and Abdul Qadir, the IEC spokesman explained.

In addition to the seven legislators, finance minister Anwarul Haq Ahadi, foreign minister Zalmay Rassoul and mines minister Wahidullah Shahrani also stood down to participate in the presidential race.

Presidential advisor Abdul Rahim Wardak, Security Transition Committee head Ashraf Ghani, senior military office Abdul Rashid Dostum, the High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption chief Azizullah Ludin, Nangarhar Governor Gul Agha Sherzai and Bamyan Governor Habiba Sarabi have also resigned their positions.

According to the Presidential Palace, their replacements will be named in the near future.

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