Govt Blasted For Not Sending Reform Decree To Parliament

Fuente: 
ToloNews
Fecha de publicación: 
10 Abr 2016

A number of senators and MPs on Sunday criticized government for what they called a delay in sending President Ashraf Ghani's decree on election reforms to the two houses of parliament – Wolesi Jirga and Meshrano Jirga.

"Election is an important matter for Afghanistan. The government leaders lack a strong will in this regard. The gap between government and the people will increase if this prevails," said Senator Nadir Baloch.

Another senator, said: "It is one and half years that they [government leaders] are talking about bringing reforms, but they have not sent their legislative decree on elections to the parliament so far."

"We urge them [government leaders] to send the decree [on election] to the parliament as soon as possible," he suggested.

According to the Constitution, any decree from the Presidential Palace must be sent to parliament within 30 days. But some MPs say government has violated the Constitution by failing to send the decree to parliament.

"It is against the Constitution if the president's decrees are issued but not sent to parliament," said MP Mohammad Akbari.

Another MP, Farhad Majidi, meanwhile said: "Now it is time that the presidential decree [on elections] should be sent to parliament for approval, and the parliamentary elections should be held as soon as possible."

The remarks from MPs and senators come after President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday said government is committed to bringing reforms in electoral bodies and the electoral system.