KABUL, Sept 6- Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday issued a historic legislative decree reserving a special seat for Sikh and Hindu Afghan nationals in the lower house of the country’s Parliament, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
Karzai approved the amendments of Aug 26, 2013 to the Election Law, designating a particular seat in the Wolesi Jirga (House of the People) for Sikh and Hindu nationals, said a statement from the President’s office.
In the Presidential decree, Karzai 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 decree further says that the amendments to the Election Law came into force upon signature by the President and will be published along with the relevant Cabinet resolution in the official gazette.
The National Assembly of Afghanistan is a bicameral body comprising two chambers, Wolesi Jirga (or lower house) with 249 seats and Meshrano Jirga (Upper House) with 102 seats.
The reserved seat has been designated to the lower house which will now have 250 members.
Karzai’s decision was made after lawmakers declined to reserve a special seat for Hindus and Sikhs in parliament.
– BERNAMA
