House panel heads debating draft poll law

KABUL — lower house of parliament — on Monday started a debate on a draft electoral that would be placed before a general session two weeks later.

Over the past 11 years, parliamentary elections have been conducted under legislative decrees, but four months back, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) prepared the draft law.

Already passed by the Cabinet with some amendment, the legislation has been sent to the Wolesi Jirga for approval. House panel heads on Sunday decided to initiate a discussion on the measures.

The debate on the measure began today, Wolesi Jirga Secretary Eng. Syed Ikram told Pajhwok Afghan News. The draft law will be presented to the general session on April 8.

The IEC has urged early approval of the draft so that it could properly handle electoral affairs under the law.

A public representative from Daikundi, Asadullah Sadati, asked MPs to pass the draft as soon as possible because a delay would create problems during the elections.

Next presidential and provincial council elections are scheduled to be held on April 5, 2014 and parliamentary polls a year later.

In addition to the passing the proposed law, issuance of computerised ID cards was important for transparent elections, said another lawmaker from Maidan Wardak, Ghulam Hussain Nasiri.
myn

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