Law on electoral bodies’ composition approved

KABUL — lower house of parliament — on Monday approved a bill into law restricting President Karzai from  unilaterally appointing election commissioners.

Karzai appoints senior officials of the Independent Election Commission and the Election Complaint Commission through issuing decrees.

The bill on composition of the two electoral bodies and their responsibilities and authority was introduced to the lower house on Monday by the justice commission. A majority of the lawmakers present voted in favour of the law.

The panel’s member Qurban Ali Irfani told Pajhwok Afghan News that a special commission had been created to select and recommend new members of the two commissions to the President for appointment.

The special commission included chairmen of both houses, a member of the Supreme Court and representatives of the constitutional oversight commission and civil society groups, he said.

The justice commission deputy head Mohammad Obda said that departments, including high education institutes, having role in elections could also recommend commissioners for the electoral bodies to the special commission.

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