After a 45-day recess, the Administrative Board of the Senate and Lower House announced that the Parliament would resume work on Saturday. The legislature is expected to immediately dive into a hefty agenda that includes reviewing new cabinet appointments, security for the spring elections, the EVAW Law and Higher Education Law.
The Board mentioned that in addition to the “vote of confidence” for the newly appointed Acting Director of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and Acting Minister of Interior, security plans for the Presidential and Provincial Council elections would be a top priority for the Parliament.
Saleh Muhammad Saljuqi, the Second Deputy Speaker of the Lower House, asked the State Minister of Parliamentary Affairs to submit the educational documents of Rahmatullah Nabeel, the newly appointed Acting Director of the NDS and Omer Daudzai, the Acting Minister of Interior for scrutiny by the MPs.
“We ask the State Minister in Parliamentary Affairs to send the House of Representatives the education documents for these two candidates, so that the members review them and vote,” Saljuqi said.
The Board expressed concerns with the security situation in the country and emphasised that the issue needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. They added that the Senate is planning to closely monitor the plans and strategies for security ahead of the elections.
“We are aware that insecurity is increasing day-by-day and we have to find a solution, because if the legitimacy of the elections is questioned we will have all new problems in Afghanistan,” said Rafiullah Gul, the Second Deputy of the Senate.
Additionally, Mirwais Yasini, the First Deputy Speaker of the Lower House, said that the tabling of the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) Law and Higher Education Law are also among the top priorities of the House this session. Mr. Yasini assured that the MPs would address issues with laws and seek to approve them soon.