Senate rejects presidential decree on authorities of electoral bodies

The Meshrano Jirga — the upper house of the parliament — on Tuesday rejected a presidential decree on formation and authorities of the election commission and electoral complaint commission.

However, the administrative board of Senate House did not specify the reason for rejection of the decree but a number of senators have said that there is no need of decree with the existence of law and constitution.

The rejection of Presidential decree has raised concerns of electoral observing institutions.

Members of electoral observing institutions say that the rejection of presidential decree will cause many challenges.

“There were political and personal hands in the rejection of presidential decree. Delay in election will damage political, security and economic problems of the country,” said Payenda Muhammad Hekmat, member of FEFA.

The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) considered the rejection of presidential decree by Senate far away from the expectation of Afghan people and the parliamentary election will face many challenges.

Previously, President Ghani has called on National Council to work on adjustments instead of rejecting the decree.