Seat for Sikh and Hindu Nationals in Lower House of Afghan Parliament approved

President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai on 4 September 2013 approved, through a legislative decree, a special seat allocated for Sikh and Hindu Afghan Nationals in the Lower House of the Afghan Parliament.

As per the provisions mentioned in Article 79 of the Constitution of Afghanistan, President Karzai approved the Cabinet amendments of 26 August 2013 to the Election Law, designating a particular seat in the Lower House of the Parliament for Sikh and Hindu nationals of Afghanistan.

In the Presidential decree, the President assigned the Ministers of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to submit the decree within 30 days after the National Assembly of Afghanistan resumes its first session.

The Afghan President has the power to issue legislative decrees when the Parliament is on vacation. The decree was issued after the lawmakers declined to reserve a special seat for Hindus and Sikhs through a law.

The decree further adds that the amendments to the Election Law that came into force upon signature by the President. It would be published along with the relevant Cabinet resolution in the official gazette.

About the National Assembly of Afghanistan

The National Assembly of Afghanistan is a bicameral body comprises of two chambers, Wolesi Jirga (House of the People or Lower Hosue) with 249 seats and Meshrano Jirga (Upper House or House of Elders) with 102 seats. The designated seat has increased the number of seats in Afghanistan’s lower house to 250.