Horse-trading alleged in WJ admin polls

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: Some Wolesi Jirga members alleged massive horse-trading in the lower house’s recent administrative board polls and called for the voting to be declared invalid.

Heads of both houses of the parliament are elected for a complete legislative tenure while members of the administrative board for both the house are elected annually at the start of a new legislative year. The Wolesi Jirga conducted its board elections in four phases, electing Humayon Humayon as first deputy speaker, Amir Khan Yar as second deputy speaker, Mirdad Khan Nijrabi as secretary and Erfanullah Erfan as deputy secretary.

Meeting of the lower house discussed working agenda and election of the heads of commissions.

Gul Pacha Majidi, a lawmaker from southeastern Paktia province, termed the recent internal polls as ‘shameful’ and an insult to the house. He formally asked the speaker to revoke the results.

He warned of moving the Attorney General Office if the speaker did not act on his request. Another member of the house claimed over $3 million had been distributed by the candidates for first, second deputy speakers and secretary positions.

Lawmaker Ramazan Bashardot criticized continued absence of some lawmakers and added: “I don’t know why more than 40 lawmakers are not present in the house by 2:55pm.”

Second deputy speaker Amir Khan Yar said those alleging horse-trading should present evidence.