Meshrano Jirga -- or upper house of parliament -- on Sunday rejected a proposed panel that would introduce members of election commissions' to the president.
The panel's creation has been suggested in a law on the composition, duties and powers of the Independent Election Commission ('IEC) and Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC). The Wolesi Jirga, lower house, passed the measure last month.
Under the draft, members of the electoral bodies are to be appointed by the president on the recommendation of the commission, including lawmakers and one representative each of the Supreme Court and civil society.
Similarly, the president will appoint nine of the 14 nominees as IEC commissioners. So far, the commission has seven members, but the amended law raises the number to nine.
On Sunday, the Legislative Commission placed the draft law before the upper house for debate. The commission's head, Hafiz Abdul Qayyum, said he agreed with the suggested law.
But Tabibi Zahidi, a public representative from western Herat province, called the proposed commission would amount to interfering in the presidential domain. He believed the president should appoint IEC and ECC commissioners.
His view was endorsed by a number of senators. Of the 52 legislators present, 25 rejected, while 19 supported the Wolesi Jirga's measure. The remaining six senators abstained from voting on the issue.
Deputy Chairman Mohammad Alam Ezedyar said an extraordinary session would debate the draft law on Monday. The inclusion of two foreigners in ECC is a thorny issue that will be discussed tomorrow.
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