“In the name
of Allah, the merciful, the compassionate.”
Chapter
One
General Regulation
Article 1
These
Articles of Procedures are issued to regulate the internal affairs of the
Wolesi Jirga pursuant to articles 87, 88, 89, 106, 108, and 109 of the Constitution
of Afghanistan.
Article 2
The definition of words and expressions used in these Articles of
Procedure shall be understood as follows:
1.
Jirga: The Wolesi Jirga (WJ).
2.
Session: The total sittings of
the Jirga of WJ consisting of a four and a half month-period based on article 107 of the
Constitution.
3.
Articles of Procedure: Internal Articles of Procedure of the WJ.
4.
Administrative Board: The Speaker, the First and Second Deputy
Speakers, the Secretary, and the Deputy Secretary in accordance with article 87
of the Constitution.
5.
Member: A Member of the WJ.
6.
Constitution: The
Constitution of the Islamic Republic
of Afghanistan.
7.
Bill: Legislative proposal
which is transmitted by the Executive to the National Assembly for
consideration and/or approval according to article 95 of the Constitution.
8.
Members’ Bill:Legislative
proposal which is initiated by Members of the WJ in accordance with article 95
and last paragraph of article 97 of the Constitution.
9.
Government Statements: Issues
which are presented to the plenary sessions as per the request of the
government.
10.
Hearing: listening to the report presented by the
government to the plenary or commissions upon the request of the Jirga.
11.
Questioning: Oral or
written questions which are asked by the Members from the government in the Commissions or in the plenary and
which require responses from such officials.
12.
Interpellation: The process
of requiring Ministers to provide an explanation of their action in accordance
with article 92 of the Constitution.
13.
Vote: The expressed opinion
which approves, rejects, or abstains on an issue.
14.
Majority Vote: The greater number of votes in comparison to
the other votes on a particular issue or person. Abstentions and null votes are not counted as
part of the majority.
15.
Total Majority Vote: The votes of
50 per cent plus one of total Members of the Wolesi Jirga.
16.
Present Majority Vote: the votes of 50 per cent plus one of Members
in the Jirga present at the time of the vote.
17.
Original (Net) Salary: This is the amount of salary
which is paid on a monthly basis to every Member, subtracting deductions.
Chapter
Two
The First Session of the National Assembly
Article 3
After the official announcement of the election results and the
information about convening of the inaugural session, including the date and
location of such inaugural session, having been published in the mass media by
the Secretariats of the Assembly, the joint session of the National Assembly
shall be inaugurated officially by the President of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan.
Article 4
1.
At the first sitting of the Jirga, the oldest Member, who is not a
candidate for the position of Speaker, shall be appointed as Pro Tem
Speaker.
2.
The oldest Member shall present his or her identity card to the
Secretary General in order to be appointed Pro Tem Speaker. The national
identity card (Tazkara) shall determine the age of the Member.
3.
If there are two or more Members of exactly the same age, the Pro Term
Speaker shall be appointed by lottery.
4.
The two youngest Members of the
Jirga, who are not candidates themselves, shall be appointed as Deputy and
Secretary to the ProTerm Speaker.
5.
The method of election of the
Secretary and Deputy to the Pro Term Speaker of the Jirga shall be in
accordance with clauses 3 and 4 of this article.
Article 5
No discussion or debate shall
take place during the inauguration ceremony.
Article 6
The Provisional Speaker may
not himself or herself be a candidate for the position of the Speaker of the
Jirga. The duty of the Provisional Speaker is only to preside and supervise the
election for permanent Speaker of the Jirga.
Article 7
In the presence of the
President of the Islamic Republic, the Pro Term Speaker and Members of the
Jirga shall take the following oath:
“In the name of God Almighty, the most gracious and most merciful,
....
I do swear in the light of Islamic virtues and the values of the Constitution,
in order to uphold national unity and national interests without any
discrimination, that I shall discharge my duties in a faithful manner.”
Chapter
Three
Election of the Speaker and
the Administrative Board
Article 8
Under the chairmanship of the Pro Tem Speaker, the Speaker of the
Jirga shall be elected by the Present Majority and by secret ballot, for the
term of the legislature, as follows:
The Pro Term Speaker shall
read out the list of candidates and give permission to each of the candidates
to deliver a five-minute speech.
In case a candidate
withdraws, he or she shall inform the Pro Term Speaker in writing before voting
starts.
After the speeches, the
Provisional Speaker shall announce the beginning of the vote.
If none of the candidates wins the Present Majority of votes in
the first round, a second round shall be held between those two
candidates who obtained the most votes in the first round; the one who wins the
Present Majority of votes in the second round shall be elected.
Article 9
1. After the election of the Speaker of the Jirga and under his or
her leadership, two Members shall be elected as First and Second Deputy
Speakers and two other Members shall be elected as Secretary and Deputy Secretary
by majority vote for a period of one year.
2. In case none of the candidates wins in the first round, a second
round shall be held between those two candidates who obtained the most
votes in the first round; the one who wins the Present Majority in the second
round shall be elected.
In case neither of the
candidates wins in the second round, the voting shall be held between them for
the third round, and the candidate who gets the Present Majority of votes shall
be declared the winner.
If neither of the
abovementioned candidates wins the Present Majority in the third round, the
voting shall start again, and previous candidates do not have the right to
compete in the new round.
3. After the election of the Administrative Board, the Speaker of the
Jirga shall notify the President of such election in writing.
Article 10
In the event of resignation or
death of the Speaker of the Jirga, another Member shall be elected for the remainder
of the legislative tenure. In the event
of resignation or death of the First or Second Deputy Speaker or of the
Secretary or Deputy Secretary of the Administrative Board, another Member shall
be elected for the remaining period.
Article 11
The Speaker and Administrative
Board members can be removed from their positions by the proposal of one-third
and approval of two-thirds of all the Members of the Jirga and after the final
decision of a competent court in following circumstances:
1. Commission of treason
2. Commission of crimes against humanity
3. Suffering from an incurable disease that prevents the performance
of his or her duties.
Chapter Four
Structure, Duties and Powers
aRTICLE 12
The Jirga shall have an Administrative Board, a Committee of chairs,
Commissions, Parliamentary Groups, and a Secretariat.
The Administrative Board of the Jirga shall
consist of the Speaker, the First and Second Deputy Speaker, the Secretary and
Deputy Secretary, in accordance with article 87 of the Constitution.
The Committee of chairs shall be composed of the Administrative
Board of the Jirga, Chairs of Standing Commissions, and Chairs of Parliamentary
Groups.
If necessary, the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs may attend
the meetings of the Committee of chairs.
Article 13
The Speaker of the Jirga shall have these duties and authorities:
1.
Administering the Session of the Jirga with full neutrality and
presiding over the Committee of chairs
and Administrative Board.
2. Enforcing disciplinary measures to maintain
order of the session.
3.
Exemplifying and preserving the prestige of the Jirga within and outside the country.
4. Signing all contracts with
legal entities after the approval of the plenary session.
5. Proposing
the appointment of grade A employees to
the President of the Islamic Republic.
6. Recruiting and changing the other
staffs of the Secretariat in accordance with the provisions of law.
7. Supervising and monitoring
the implementation of the budget of the Jirga.
8. If necessary, participating in the
meetings of Commissions and supervising their performance.
9. Receiving reports from
Commissions.
10. Signing letters in the name of the Jirga.
Article 14
The duties and authorities of the Deputy Speakers shall be as follows:
The First Deputy Speaker shall carry out the
duties and authorities of the Speaker when the latter is
absent;
in the presence of the Speaker, he or she shall carry out the duties assigned
to him or her by the Speaker.
The Second Deputy Speaker shall assume the duties of the Speaker when
the Speaker and the First Deputy Speaker are both absent; in their presence, he
or she shall carry out the duties assigned to him or her by the Speaker
Article 15
The Duties of the Secretary shall be as follows:
1. Assist
the Speaker in conducting the sittings.
2. Confirm to the Speaker
of the existence of a quorum during sittings.
3. Count and verify the
outcomes of votes.
4. Record the minutes and prepare the official report of plenary
sittings of the Jirga, in Dari and Pashto, to be signed by him or her
and countersigned by the Speaker.
5. Prepare and submit the official enactments of the Jirga for
publication in the Official Gazette.
6. Register Members in the
Speaker’s list of presentations.
7. Other duties assigned by
the Speaker.
Duties and authorization of
the Deputy Secretary shall be as follows:
1. Assist the Secretary and carry out his
or her duties when the latter is absent.
2. Manage the properties and assets of the Jirga.
3. Edit the transcripts of debates of the plenary session.
4. Register Members in the Speaker’s list of presentations.
5. Other duties assigned by the
Speaker.
Article 16
The duties of the Committee of chairs shall include the preparation of the work plan
and agenda of the plenary session, preparation of work schedules of Standing
Commissions, and the approval of procedures and regulations of the internal
administration of the Jirga.
Article 17
The Secretary General of the Jirga shall be at the top of the administrative and
executive affairs and he or she shall carry out his or her duties under the
supervision and direction of the Speaker.
Parliamentary Groups
Article 18
The Members of the Jirga may organize themselves into Parliamentary
Groups according to shared opinions and affinities.
The minimum number of Members of the Jirga required to form a
Parliamentary Group shall be 23; each Member can be a member of only one
Parliamentary Group at a time. Each Parliamentary Group shall have a Chair,
Deputy, Secretary, and one Assistant.
Article 19
1.
The Parliamentary Group shall be introduced to the Speaker of the Jirga
through a list which contains the names of the Members and Chair along with the
signature of each person.
2.
None of the Parliamentary Groups can be formed contrary to the
objectives of the Constitution.
3. Changes in the composition of a Parliamentary
Group, including the joining, separation or withdrawal of Members or Chair of
the group shall be communicated to the Administrative Board after obtaining the
signatures of the majority of the members of the group.
4. If a member of a Parliamentary Group resigns,
the issue shall be communicated to the relevant group and the Administrative
Board of the Jirga.
Articles 20
A Parliamentary Group may hire a person as an assistant to carry out its
affairs. The salary and other privileges of the assistant shall be paid through
the Secretariat.
Article 21
The Speaker of the Jirga shall specify the sitting chairs of the hall
with the mutual understanding of the Chairs of Parliamentary Group and
non-affiliated members in proportion to the number of their members.
The organizational structure, procedures, duties, and election of the
administrative board of Parliamentary Groups shall be provided for in an
additional regulation.
Chapter Six
Standing Commissions and
Joint
Commissions
Article 22
The Wolesi Jirga shall have the following
Standing Commissions:
1.
Commission on International Affairs
2. Commission on
Internal Affairs, (Internal Security, Border Control, National Security and
Local Administration)
3. Commission
on Defence and Territorial Affairs
4. Commission
on Finance, Budget, Public Accounts and Banking Affairs
5. Commission
on Complaints and Petitions
6. Commission
on Legal Affairs
7. Commission
on Women’s Affairs, Civil Society and Human Rights
8. Commission on Judicial, Justice,
Administrative Reform and the Fight Against Corruption
9. Commission on
National Economy, Non-governmental Organisations, Rural Development, and
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.
10. Commission on
Counter-Narcotics, Toxic Substances and Immorality
11. Commission on
Transport, Telecommunications, Urban and Housing Affairs, Water and Power
Supply and Municipal Affairs
12. Commission
on Religious and Cultural Affairs, Education and Higher Education
13. Commission on Health,
Sports, Youth, Labour and Workers
14. Commission on
Disabled, Martyr’s Dependants and Widows
15. Commission on Nomads,
Tribal Affairs, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s)
16. Commission
on Natural Resources and Environment
17. Commission
on Immunities, Rights and Privileges
of Jirga Members
18. Commission on Central
Investigation and Overseeing the Implementation of Law
Article 23
The
list of Members of the Jirga, who registered their names for their preferred
Commissions, shall be announced by the Administrative Board in a plenary
session and shall be approved for a legislative period.
Each Member shall select a Commission that is
relevant to his or her experience and profession.
The
membership of a Member may be changed from one Commission to another upon the
request of such Member and the consent of the majority of members of both
Commissions.
Each
Member of the Jirga can only be a Member of one Commission at a time. By invitation or permission of other Commissions, a Member
of a Commission may attend other Commissions’ sessions but without
the
right to vote. Such Member, by the
consent of the Chair of the Commission, may express his or her views.
Article
24
Each Standing Commission shall be comprised of 10 to 25 Members
of the Wolesi Jirga.
Article 25
At its first meeting, under the leadership of
its oldest Member who himself or herself is not a candidate for the position of
Chair, each Commission shall elect, for a
period of one year, its Chair, Deputy
Chair, and Secretary by a Present Majority vote of its
Members.
Before end of the tenure, the Administrative Board of the Commission may
be elected by the proposal of one-third of Members and approval of two-thirds
of Members.
Article 26
The Commissions shall have the following duties and powers:
1.
Review draft bills referred by the Speaker of the Jirga.
2.
Propose amendments to draft bills.
3.
Prepare and present reports and recommendations to the Jirga.
4.
Conduct and process all other affairs which are under the jurisdiction
of the Jirga according to the Constitution.
5. If necessary, the Commissions may call on social institutions,
including national and international non-governmental organizations, for
questioning and hearings.
Article 27
The Commissions shall have the right to put questions to each of the
Ministers and other individuals who are mentioned in clause 11, Article 64 of
the Constitution about specific issues within their jurisdiction. The Minister
concerned shall provide a written or oral answer during the session of the
Commission as required.
Article 28
Each Member shall be present at all Commission sessions and participate
actively in sub-Commission activities.
In case a Member is prevented from reporting for duty by sickness or
other compelling circumstances, such Member shall duly report his or her
absence to the Chair of the Commission by any possible means.
The quorum for a valid Commission decision shall be majority of
its Members, and decisions shall be approved by majority of the Members
present.
Article 29
If a bill covers issues falling within the area of jurisdiction of more
than one Commission, the Speaker of the Jirga shall refer it to the Commission
within whose jurisdiction the principal issues falls.
Article 30
After the approval of each
proposed bill , it shall be referred by the Chair of the Commission to one of
the Members of the Commission who shall be the reporter.
When selecting a Member as
reporter, his or her professional expertise shall be taken into account
in accordance with the needs of the bill.
Article 31
The agenda of Commissions’
sessions shall be set by the Administrative Board of the Commission.
Before the end of each session
of the jirga, each Commission shall present a report of its work within fifteen
minutes in the plenary session.
Article 32
Standing Commissions may set up sub-Commissions to examine special
issues.
Article 33
If it is required, a Standing Commission may create joint provisional
Committees. The number of Members of these joint Committees shall not exceed
21.
The creation of joint Commissions and their membership list shall be
approved by the Jirga.
Chapter
Seven
Special
Commission to Investigate Government Action
Article 34
The Jirga shall have the power to establish a Special Commission, upon a
proposal by one-third of its Members, for the purpose of investigating
Government actions in accordance with article 89 of the Constitution.
The Special Commission shall be composed of at least 21 Members.
The composition of this Commission shall represent the composition of
the Jirga. The list of Members must be approved in plenary session of the
Jirga.
Article 35
At its first session, the Special Commission to Investigate Government
Actions shall elect its Chair, Deputy Chair, and Secretary of the Commission by
majority of its Members who are present in the session.
The Jirga shall issue instructions defining the scope and subject matter
of the Special Commission’s mandate.
The quorum of the Special Commission shall be the majority of its
Members and decisions shall be taken and approved by majority of the Members
present.
Article 36
The work of the Special Commission
shall end as soon as the investigation procedure concerned is closed; the
maximum duration for an investigation procedure shall not exceed 6 months.
This duration may be extended
by the Jirga based on the request of this Commission if needed. The Special
Commission shall submit the report of its study and investigation to the Jirga.
The Agenda of the
Plenary Session of the Jirga
Article 37
The agenda of the plenary session of the Jirga includes the following
two segments:
1.
Government related business,
2.
Jirga related business.
Government business includes bills, resolutions, and other motions,
including approval of appointments, in accordance with the Constitution, which
are introduced on behalf of the Government by the Minister of State for
Parliamentary Affairs.
Jirga business includes all affairs within the jurisdiction of the Jirga
as enshrined by the law.
Article 38
The working agenda of the Jirga is arranged by the
Committee of chairs.
On the proposal of the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, the
Committee of chairs determines the order of Government business in plenary
sessions.
According to article 97 of the Constitution, the Minister
of State for Parliamentary Affairs shall, on behalf of the Government,
determine the priority of bills initiated by the Government, particularly
treaties and development plans, in the agenda of the plenary session of the
Jirga.
The Plenary Sessions of
the Jirga and Organisation of Debates
Article 39
The term of both sessions of the Jirga is nine months per year divided
into two working four and a half months sessions, unless it is deemed necessary
to extend the sessions in accordance with the provision of article 99th
the constitution.
Article 40
The period for summer and winter recess are from 15th of
Jauza (5 June) to 1st Asad (July 23) and from 15th Qaus
(6 Dec) to 1st Dalwa (20 Jan) of each year, respectively.
Article 41
Plenary sessions are held during specified time in accordance with the
determination of the Committee of chairs.
According to the suggestions made by the Speaker of the Jirga, Chairs of
Parliamentary Groups, and Chairs of the Commissions, the session can also be
held during unofficial time.
Article 42
The Jirga session shall begin with
the recitation of the Holy Quran.
Article 43
The Speaker shall start the
business of the session by stating the following sentence:
“In the name of Allah, most
merciful most compassionate”
The Speaker shall close the
sitting with the following sentence:
“Their ultimate prayer is praise be to God, Lord of
the Universe”.
Article 44
When the Jirga decides to hold a sitting in camera, the Speaker shall order the public and press galleries
and hallways to be cleared and doors closed.
Only the Secretary General and other persons specially authorized by the
Administrative Board of the Jirga are admitted to the session.
Article 45
The Secretary reads the agenda at the beginning of every session.
Article 46
Members of the Jirga shall observe the following rules during the
session:
1.
Always speak from his or her designated chair and shall not pass in
front of Member who is speaking,
2.
Maintain silence,
3.
Shall not speak without getting permission from the Speaker,
4.
No discussion shall take place beyond the subject matter,
5.
Shall not utter seditious or defamatory words or make use of offensive
or un-parliamentary expressions or words which may offend the sensitivities of
any person,
6.
Shall not threaten each other either verbally or physically,
7.
Shall not grant interviews during a general session,
8.
Shall turn off their phones and not use their computers during the
plenary.
Article 47
Every Member of the Jirga, who
wishes to express his or her opinion, raises his or her hand and the Secretary
notes his or her name. Later on, the Secretary announces the name of a Member
who has been registered and, with the permission of the Speaker of the Jirga,
such Member begins speaking.
Every Member can speak once on
one issue during a plenary session. A
second chance will be given to him or her only when there are no other Members
who registered to speak.
Article 48
A Member speaks for 3 minutes
in accordance with the agenda, and during his or her speech shall not speak
beyond the scope of the subject being discussed.
Whenever a Member deviates
from the issue, the Speaker of the Jirga shall bring this to the Member’s
attention.
If the Member considers his or
her speech related to the matter and continues speaking, the Speaker of the
Jirga draws the attention of the Members of the Jirga and asks the Member who
is speaking to conclude his or her speech immediately.
If the Member who is speaking
continues his or her speech as before, the Speaker of the Jirga shall stop such
Member’s speech and allow another Member to speak on the matter.
Article 49
Whenever
a Member misconstrues the statement of another Member, the latter can get
permission to speak from the Speaker of the Jirga without waiting for his or
her turn but may speak only once.
Article 50
If Ministers, Chairs, Reporters of Commissions, and other government officials
seek to speak, they shall be allowed to do so.
Article 51
The Speaker of the
Jirga, before the end of a session, informs the Members about the agenda of the
next session.
Article 52
Even when a matter is beyond the subject being discussed, the Speaker
can, in urgent cases, demand its inclusion in the agenda and, if is approved by
a majority of the Jirga, the matter is included in the agenda and debate over
the issue begins immediately.
Article 53
Every Member shall have the
right, in the course of the debate, to present reasonable objections.
The objection is deemed reasonable when the action objected to is
contrary to the provisions of the Constitution and the Articles of Procedures
of the Jirga.
The objection shall not be beyond the agenda being discussed.
No Member shall deliver his or her personal views under the pretext of
an objection.
The objecting Member shall raise his or her hand, addressing the Speaker of
the Jirga by saying:
“I have a reasonable objection.”
The Speaker of the Jirga shall give him or her permission, out of turn,
to voice the objection in line with the Constitution or in line with the
Articles of Procedure of the Jirga.
Article 54
The Committee of chairs shall organise the debate so as to allocate
speaking time to Parliamentary Groups and to independent Members in proportion
to their number and their presence in the Jirga.
Article 55
The Chairs of
Parliamentary Groups shall include the names of those Members who wish to speak
on a list, which is presented to the Speaker of the Jirga by the Secretary.
According to the agenda,
the aforementioned list is read along with the specific time given to each
Member.
Article 56
Members shall not speak for more than the time allotted to their group.
Once the group has used up its speaking time, no other Members of the
same group shall be called to speak.
Chapter Ten
Publication and Observers
Article 57
The proceedings of the session shall be broadcast live by radio
and television unless, in specific cases, the Jirga decides otherwise.
Article 58
The Jirga shall have its own
publication, in which the debates and approvals of the Jirga shall be published
without any changes.
Article 59
The Jirga may publish its decisions concerning national and
international issues as a declaration in the media.
Article 60
Observers can attend sessions of the Jirga in the following
manner:
A) Cards shall be distributed in
accordance with the number of special seats to the observers.
B) Priority shall be given to those who
have applied first.
Article 61
Observers shall refrain from any action that may cause
disturbances to the session. They shall refrain from applause, conversation, or
interference in Jirga affairs.
Article 62
Observers do not have permission to communicate from their special
seats to Members of the Jirga in the session hall. Likewise they are not
allowed to converse with Members within the
session hall and its corridors while the session is going on.
Chapter
Eleven
Voting
Article 63
Voting is the personal right of each member
Article 64
Voting shall be public during plenary sessions unless the nature of the
matter requires its secrecy. Public voting shall be performed by raising hands
or cards or by standing and sitting, or
by electronic means, while secret vote shall be through paper ballot.
Article 65
1.
If 10 Members express their doubt about the result of a vote by raising
of hands, the Speaker shall request the Jirga to vote by standing and sitting.
If doubt remains, voting shall then be in public by casting paper ballots in
the ballot box.
2.
Upon the request of 10 Members and approval of the Present Majority,
voting can be held in secret in any instance.
3.
No Member can vote after the counting of votes begins.
4.
No one shall be given permission to speak during voting.
5.
After announcement of the voting’s result, another debate cannot be held
over an approved subject.
Article 66
Each Member shall personally put a ballot paper into the ballot box,
under the supervision of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Jirga and
with the assistance of the staffers of the General Secretariat.
A green paper is an affirmative vote, red is a negative vote, and white
is an abstention.
No more than one paper ballot per Member shall be put into the ballot
box. A Member cannot transfer his or her right to vote to another person.
The ballot boxes must be brought to the rostrum of the Jirga and the
Speaker, who orders that the boxes be opened by using the following words:
“Open the boxes”.
During the opening process of the ballot boxes, no one shall be given
permission to speak.
The Speaker shall announce the result of the ballot as ascertained by
the Secretary and Deputy Secretary.
The Speaker can take part only in a secret vote, unless otherwise
provided in these Articles of Procedures
Article 67
On the written request of one-third of the present Members of the Jirga
and approval of two-thirds of the total Members of the Jirga, a matter that has
already been approved can be amended or abrogated.
Article 68
According to the provisions of the Constitution, approval of a subject
requires the Present Majority of the Members.
The Present Majority can be ascertained by reference to the number of
total ballots used.
The public vote is performed in the following manner:
1.
The Secretary announces the beginning of the vote and asks Members to be
seated in their own seats.
2.
The Secretary counts the number of present Members in the Hall, and also
announces the number of the present majority.
3.
Voting begins thereafter.
When the votes are equal, the Speaker’s vote shall determine the result.
Disciplinary Measures
Article 69
The Speaker of the Jirga has the duty to control and maintain order of
plenary sitting.
Article 70
Members of the Jirga are subject to disciplinary measures if they
committed any of the following offences:
1.
Disregard for the internal rules and procedures of the Jirga;
2.
Absence or lack of punctuality, tearing up documents in a sign of
objection, provocative and irrelavant slogans;
3.
Leaving the session without reasonable excuse, quarrels and physical
fighting, or causing chaos and riot in the session;
4.
Intimidation and threatening of a Member, defamation and accusation of
others, insult and disrespect for the Administrative Board, government
officials and the staffers of the general secretariat;
5.
Engagement in other employment contrary to the provisions of article 152
of the Constitution.
A.
In case of violations of the tenets of the above mentioned article, the
following disciplinary measures shall be taken:
1.
Advice,
2.
Warning,
3.
Publication of the name of offending Member in the Official Journal of
the Jirga,
4.
Exclusion of the offending Member from the session of that day.
Implementation of disciplinary measures stipulated in
the preceding paragraph is under the authority of the Speaker of the Jirga.
B: The
suspension of an offending Member for more than one day for any violation is
implemented upon the recommendation of the Administrative Board and approval of
the Jirga.
Article 71
If the offending Member tries to enter the Jirga by force before the
period of exclusion is finished, the Administrative Board shall prevent him or
her from entering the Jirga and disciplinary measures against him or her shall
be doubled based on the decision of the Jirga.
Chapter Thirteen
Proposals for the Confirmation or Rejection of Appointees
(Vote of Confidence)
Article 72
The President of the Republic or one of his or her Vice Presidents
officially introduces members of the cabinet to the Jirga.
Biographies, copies of citizenship papers, and evaluated educational
documents and work experiences of proposed members shall be submitted to the
Jirga at least 4 days in advance by the Minister of State for Parliamentary
Affairs.
The Wolesi Jirga approves the number, powers, and duties of ministers.
Other officials enumerated in items 11 and 12 of article 64 of the
Constitution are introduced following the above procedure.
Article 73
The vote on the appointment of Ministers and other officials enumerated
in items 11 and 12 of article 64 of the Constitution shall be direct, secret,
and individual.
Each Minister and each of the officials enumerated in items 11 and 12 of
article 64 of the Constitution shall come to the session and explain their work
plan.
Article 74
If a Minister has dual citizenship, the Jirga shall decide on the
matter.
Article 75
1.
One Member from each Standing Commission and one Member from each
Parliamentary Group, after being registered by the Administrative Board, may
deliver brief professional questions to, and get answers from, Ministers and
other officials enumerated in items 11 and 12 of article 64 of the
Constitution.
2.
After questioning Ministers and other officials enumerated in items 11
and 12 of article 64 of the Constitution, voting shall begin and the result is
announced on the same day.
3.
Each question shall not exceed 2 minutes and the total time of answers
shall not exceed 30 minutes.
Article 76
If a proposed Minister or any official mentioned in items 11 or 12 of
article 64 of the Constitution is rejected by the Jirga, the same person cannot
be re-appointed to the same post.
Processes of Legislation
Article 77
1. The Government may introduce a
bill either on its own behalf, signed by the Minister concerned, or, in the
area of jurisdiction concerning the judiciary, on behalf of the Supreme Court,
signed by the Minister of Justice, through the Minister of State for
Parliamentary Affairs, together with a statement explaining the reason for its
introduction to the Jirga.
2. Ten Members of the Jirga may also introduce a bill by notifying the
Speaker of the Jirga. The notification
shall be accompanied by a copy of the bill, together with an explanatory
statement signed by the Members.
Article 78
1.
The Speaker, based on paragraph 3 of article 97 of the Constitution,
shall refer the bill within one month to the Committee of chairs for inclusion
in the agenda of the plenary.
2.
The Speaker of the Jirga may invite the Minister of State for
Parliamentary Affairs and the Minister to whom the bill relates to formally
introduce the bill to the plenary session.
3.
Bills introduced by the Government or by Members shall be registered,
tabled, and announced at the sitting of the Jirga.
4.
There shall be no debate during the introduction of the Bill.
After introduction of the bill, the Speaker shall refer the bill to the
relevant Standing Commission.
Article 79
Based on clause 6 of article 97 of the
Constitution, during the introduction of a bill, the Government, the Chair of a
Standing Commission, the Chair of a Parliamentary Group, or ten Members of the
Jirga may request the Jirga to take up
a bill for immediate consideration.
If a majority of the Members of the Jirga
approves the request, the bill is
put into the agenda.
Legislative
Processes in Standing Commissions
Article 80
The relevant Commission shall approve the
bill, which has been referred to it by the Speaker of the Jirga, in 20 days.
If required, the main Commission may
invite the proponent of the bill for explanations.
Article 81
The Chair of the Commission shall
designate a Reporter for each bill.
The Reporter shall prepare his or her
report, which contains the amendments, additions, and modifications, and shall
send a copy of the Bill to other Commissions and Parliamentary Groups.
Other Commissions and Parliamentary Groups
may propose their amendments within the timeframe requested by the main
Commission.
The main Commission shall determine a date
for the compilation of amendments made by other Commissions and Parliamentary
Groups, and the Reporter of each Parliamentary Group and Commission will
participate in the sitting of the main Commission. Other Commissions and
Parliamentary Groups shall send their amendments in writing.
The main Commission shall debate and
compile the proposed amendments referred to the main Commission by other
Parliamentary Groups and Commissions.
The compiled bill shall be referred to the
plenary session by the Committee of chairs for approval.
Legislative
Proceedings in Plenary Session
Article 82
In the plenary session, only those articles over which one or more
Commissions have disagreements with the main Commission shall be debated. The other articles shall not be debated and they shall
only be recited and approved.
Article 83
In case any articles of the bill was reported against the decision of
the main Commission, the incorrect report will be brought to the attention of
the Jirga by the Commission’s Reporter.
Chapter
Fifteen
Budgeting
Process
Article 84
The government’s budget, after it has been approved by the
Meshrano Jirga, is handed over to the General Secretariat of the Jirga. After incorporating the remarks of the
Speaker of the Jirga, it is forwarded to the Commission on Finance, Budget,
Public Accounts and Banking Affairs, for technical analysis.
A copy of the budget is handed out to all Commissions through the
Commission on Finance and Budgeting.
Each Commission in accordance with the provisions of these rules is
instructed to attach (include) its analysis and evaluation and present its
related conclusion through its Reporter to the Commission on Finance on
Budgeting for the purpose of consolidation.
Article 85
The government budget shall be arranged by the Ministry of Finance
in book bound form.
Article 86
The Commission on Finance and Budgeting, after consolidating all
analytical reports sent by other Commissions and Parliamentary Groups, shall
present the government budget to the plenary session for debate and voting.
Article 87
Only Reporters of Commissions, Chairs of Parliamentary Groups,
Chair and Reporter of the Commission on Finance and Budgeting, the Finance
Minister, and government’s experts are allowed to debate.
Article 88
Until the annual budget report of the government is finalized in
the plenary session in accordance with article 98 of the Constitution, there
shall be no debate over the government’s budget.
Chapter Sixteen
Relations
between the Wolesi Jirga and the Meshrano Jirga
Article 89
The text of a bill approved by the Wolesi Jirga shall be
submitted to the Meshrano Jirga.
Article 90
If one Jirga rejects the bill approved by the other Jirga, a Joint
Committee composed of an equal
number of Members from each Jirga shall be formed to resolve the differences,
in accordance with article 100 of the Constitution.
Members of the Joint Committee are selected upon the recommendation of
the relevant Standing Commission and approval of the plenary session.
Article 91
The introduction of the members of the Joint Committee to the Meshrano
Jirga shall be processed in one week after receiving the suggestion.
Article 92
The first session of the Joint Committee shall be convened and chaired
by its oldest Member to elect its Chair and Deputy Chair.
The Committee shall elect its Chair and Deputy Chair accordingly so the
Chair shall be from one Jirga and the Deputy Chair from the other, in
accordance with the provisions of these Articles.
The Joint Committee
shall conduct its discussions about the proposed bill in accordance with the
procedure laid down for Legislative Commissions. If the bill is from the
Government, the Minister who proposed the bill may be present.
Parliamentary Oversight, Statements of the Government, Privileged
Hour, Questions and Discussions outside the Agenda
1) Request
for Statements by the Government
Article 93
The Government can
request to make a public statement on specific or important issues with or
without debate before the Jirga.
In the event of
statements with debate, the debate shall be organized in accordance with
Articles 48, 49 and 50. The Minister speaking on behalf of the Government shall
be given the floor at the end of the debate in order for him or her to respond
to the questions of members who have spoken in the debate.
2)
Privileged Hour
Article 94
Every week, there shall be a Privileged Hour for free discussion on
topics not included in the agenda, on a day fixed by the Speaker.
Any Member may speak on any matter of general interest. If more than one
person wishes to speak, they shall apply in writing to the Speaker.
3)
Oral Questioning
Article 95
The day and time for oral questioning of Ministers and officials
enumerated in item 11 of article 64 of the Constitution shall be determined by
the Committee of chairs.
A separate notice of each question shall be given in writing to the
Speaker of the Jirga two days in advance, and shall specify the name of the
author and the Minister to whom it is addressed.
Each Member may ask only one oral question at the same session.
The Speaker shall call the Members in the order in which their names
appear on the list of questions.
During questioning, the Member shall not speak for more than five
minutes and the Minister to whom a question is addressed, or the Minister
responding on his or her behalf, shall respond in no more than ten minutes.
4) Written Questions for
Written Answers
Article 96
Written questions for written responses from an official shall be
drafted briefly.
Questioning shall not contain personal allegations against any specific
individual.
Members wishing to table written questions shall convey them to the
Speaker of the Jirga who shall notify the Government.
Written questions and the answers of the responsible official shall be
published in the Official Journal of the Jirga.
Until they are given in the session, the Minister’s written answers are
confidential and shall not be made accessible to the media.
Article 97
Questioning shall be governed by the following
conditions:
1.
The question shall be to the point, specific and limited to the issue.
2.
The question shall not be ironic and defamatory and shall avoid abusive statements.
3.
The question shall not touch upon the character or the conduct of
any person except in his or her official or public capacity.
4.
The question shall not have a hypothetical basis.
5.
The question shall ordinarily not exceed 150 words.
Article 98
At the end of the questioning, the Minister or his or her
representative who is invited to the sitting, as per their wish and with the
permission of the Speaker of the Jirga or the Chair of the Commission, may
stay to follow the rest of the sitting.
Chapter Eighteen
Interpellation
Article 99
According to article 92 of the Constitution, upon the proposal of twenty
percent of all Members, the Jirga may decide that an inquiry on a Minister be
initiated.
The proposal shall be conveyed to the Speaker of the Jirga and included
in the agenda by the Committee of chairs.
The Minister shall appear at the session according to the agenda and
respond to the questions. If the responses obtained are not
satisfactory, the Jirga may pursue a vote of no-confidence.
The vote of no-confidence on a Minister shall be precise, direct, and
based on justifiable reasons.
This vote shall be issued by the total majority.
If more than one Minister is being interpellated, the reasons for of
interpellation shall be separate for each of them.
The Jirga may also interpellate the officials mentioned in item 11 of
article 64 of the Constitution observing the same provisions on the
interpellation of Ministers.
Article 100
During interpellation, each questioner may speak for at most ten minutes
and the Minister for at most one and half hours.
Chapter
Nineteen
Judiciary
Article 101
The Wolesi Jirga supervises the activities of the Judiciary.
Article 102
If the Lower Jirga receives a complaint
about the Chief Justice or one of the Supreme Court members or one of the
Judges, then the Wolesi Jirga through its concerned Commission can request a
written response from the Supreme Court regarding the complaint.
Article 103
The Supreme Court can present a written or oral response to the subject
in question.
Article 104
If the complaint is made by one or more MPs, the given answers are
debated in the appropriate Commissions in the presence of aforementioned MP(s).
Article 105
If the complaint is about judges rather than members of Supreme Court,
which, according to article 133 of the Constitution has the authority to
investigate the case, the Court shall investigate and then inform the Wolesi
Jirga about the results of the investigation through the relevant
investigators.
Article 106
If the Supreme Court dismisses a Judge or makes a decision on his or her
dismissal, the issue of his or her dismissal shall be published in the Official
Journal of the Jirga.
Article 107
In accordance with article 127 of the Constitution, when more than
one-third of the Members of the Jirga
demand the trial of the Chief Justice, or a member of the Supreme Court, he or
she will be informed about the specific charge of the accusation in writing.
Article 108
After he or she is notified about the accusation, the Committee of
chairs informs the accused person about the date of his or her summoning to the
Jirga, and he or she shall be summoned within a maximum of 15 days after
notification of accusation.
Article 109
The accused person shall be present in the plenary session of the Jirga
on a specified date, and shall defend himself or herself against the
accusation. During his or her statement, no other questions shall be asked from
him or her.
Article 110
The accused person, after his or her statement, shall leave the session,
and consequently the voting process starts, and if two-thirds of the Wolesi
Jirga Members approves the accusation, the accused is dismissed from his or her
post and a special court is established for inquiry of the crime in accordance
with the law.
Chapter
Twenty
Reports of Debates
Article 111
In accordance with the constitutional principle that sessions of the
Parliament shall be open to the public, the debates in the plenary sittings of
the Jirga shall be reported verbatim
and in extenso in the Official Journal of the Jirga, except when the
Jirga decides to hold a sitting in secret.
The Official Journal shall mention the agenda of the session, the
Reports of the Commissions, and any other information on parliamentary
activities.
The Secretary of the Jirga is responsible for overseeing the publication
of these reports.
Chapter
Twenty One
Complaints and Petitions
Article 112
Complaints and petitions received by the
Complaints and Petitions office shall be registered and referred to the
Commission on Complaints and Petitions for further examination.
In accordance with the law, the Commission may forward the
complaint or petitions received to the authority concerned for further
investigation, or summon the person authorised by the Government to one of its
meetings in accordance with the provisions of these Articles of Procedure.
Article 113
The complaints received may directly be referred to the ministries and
independent directorates.
Article 114
If
necessary, the Commission on Complaints and Petitions may set up an
Investigation Committee in order to examine the complaint or petition received.
Article 115
If the complaint or petition of a complainant produces a result that
solves a problem or administers justice, the proceeding of such an event shall
be published in the official Journal of the Jirga, unless the complainant
disagrees.
Chapter
Twenty Two
Presence and Absence
Members’
Obligations
Article 116
Every Member is obliged to represent his or her constituents by regular
attendance in the plenary and Commission sessions.
Article 117
In case a Member is not able to attend the plenary or Commission
session, because of some justified reasons, the Member shall inform the
administrative board of the Jirga or his or her relevant Commission through any
possible means.
Article 118
Before the official announcement of the sessions’ conclusion by the
Speaker of the Jirga, Members may not leave the session without a reasonable
excuse unless in the form of an objection.
Article 119
A Member shall inform the Administrative Board of the sickness that
prevents him or her from attending the session.
Article 120
The arrangement of Members’ attendance registration is conducted by the
Administrative Board in the plenary and in the Commission’s session by the
Commission’s secretary.
Article 121
In case of a Member’s unjustified absence in the plenary or in the
Commission session, the net salary of the Member is reduced on a pro-rated
basis.
Article 122
If a Member cannot attend the session because of some engagement in
relation to his or her duty or a legal holiday, his or her salary may not be
deducted.
These engagements include national and international travel in relation
to his or her duty or those duties to be performed at the time that sessions
are being conducted in the Capital.
Article 123
1.
If a Member does not attend the plenary or the relevant Commission
session for one month, his or her net salary may not be paid.
2.
If a member does not attend the plenary or the relevant Commission
session for two successive months, according to the report of the
Administrative Board, the issue of his or her absence shall
3.
be assessed by the Rights, Privileges and Security Commission. The
Commission shall present its proposal to the plenary and the Jirga may pursue a
proper decision about the Member in accordance with article 108 of the
Constitution.
Article 124
The arrangement and monitoring of this chapter’s provisions are the
responsibility of the Commission of Rights, Privileges and Security of Jirga
Members.
Chapter
Twenty Three
Miscellaneous Provisions
Article 125
1) Assurances
After accomplishing the Parliamentary Elections, the Independent
Election Commission shall deliver the assurances of the Members of the Wolesi
Jirga to the Secretariat of the Jirga.
Session Hall
Article 126
Unless, for exceptional reasons, the Jirga decides
otherwise, the session hall shall be used for holding sessions only.
Article 127
The following people have permission to enter the session hall:
1.
Secretary General
2.
Deputy Secretary General for Parliamentary Affairs, in case of Secretary
General’s absence
3.
Director of Parliamentary Affairs
4.
Chief of Staff of the Office of the Speaker of the Jirga
5.
Director of Research Services
6.
General Manager of the session
7.
General in charge of Commissions
8.
Manager of Technical Department
of Recording
9.
Manager of Session
10.
Stenographers
11.
In Charge of Security, who is recruited for this purpose
12.
In Charge of Maintenance and Monitoring
13.
Cleaners
14.
Messengers
15.
Commission Assistant, during the report of the relevant Commission to
the plenary
Article 128
The following people may enter the plenary session hall by the
permission of the Administrative Board:
1.
Deputies of the President
2.
Members of the cabinet
3.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs
4.
Other officials and persons who are invited
Documents and Records
Article 129
All documents and records related to the Jirga’s completed business
shall be sent to the special parliamentary archive for upkeep and protection.
Logo
Article 130
The Jirga may approve its own official seal.
Chapter Twenty Four
Final Provisions
Article 131
The budget of the Jirga shall be prepared by the Committee of chairs in
consultation with the Government and, after the approval of the Jirga, shall be
considered as part of the government budget.
Article 132
According to Article 67 of these Internal Rules of Procedure, changes,
amendments, deletions and additions may be made to these internal Articles of
procedure.
Article 133
To contribute to international relations, the Jirga shall form
Parliamentary Groups to establish relations with the parliaments of friendly
countries.
The composition, authority and activities of the friendly groups between
the parliaments are provided for in a separate procedure.
Article 134
These Articles of Procedures shall be enacted after the approval of the
plenary and published in the Official Journal of the Jirga and Official Gazette
of the Ministry of Justice.
Additional Amendments to WJ Internal Rules
of Procedure
Approval No. (5) Dated: 09 February, 09
Plenary Session
Amendment to paragraph 2 of Article 82:
The articles agreed upon by the joint sessions of the
commissions, shall be subject to voting without reciting and debates.
Amendment to paragraph 1 of Article 94:
In every plenary session, prior to debate over
the specified agenda, there shall be half an hour Privileged time for discussion
over free matters and topics not included in the agenda.
Additional
Paragraph to Article 111:
The administrative
board of the commissions shall present the weekly working report of the
commission to WJ administrative board in writing on the last day of the week.
The secretary or
deputy secretary shall recite the brief report of the commissions to the
plenary session on Saturday.
Additional
Paragraph to Article 117:
A member can
request a leave of fifteen days due to sickness or any needs, within a
legislative session of four and half months.
Sickness proved by
presenting certificates from clinics as well as maternity leave for women are
an exception.
Additional
Paragraph to Article 119
The request for
leave shall be presented to the WJ secretary, in writing.
Amendment to
Article 121
In case a member’s
absence in a plenary session or commissions’ sessions exceeds five days,
without a justifiable reason, the salary
for the absent days shall be deducted and his/her name shall be announced through media, at the end of every week;
he/she shall be excluded from the
foreign trips for that session.
The delegation that
travels abroad shall present its report to the administrative board of the
Jirga, in writing.
Rules of Procedure