As the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) prepares to take a vote of confidence for eight nominated ministers later this week, some lawmakers said on Monday that there were MPs making deals with the candidate ministers. 

But some MPs have spoken out about this and said any lawmakers who are found to be guilty of such actions should be exposed so as to protect the dignity and integrity of parliament. 

Some MPs said discussions had been held with nominees who were asked to appoint relatives as heads of departments in exchange for their votes. 

But government insists that appointments within its departments are conducted fairly and transparently and is done by a special task team. 

MPs are expected to cast a vote of confidence for at least eight ministerial nominees within the next few days. 

“There are some ministers and ministerial nominees and unfortunately some lawmakers who try to make deals and have said that they will cast a vote of confidence for the nominees on condition that one of their relatives is appointed as head of a department in a province,” said one MP Mirbat Khan Mangal.

“Any topic which is discussed, wherever its source comes from, must be clarified, all the lawmakers should not be accused of this; they should name the (guilty) lawmakers and say which province is doing such things,” said MP Ghulam Hussain Naseri.

Some MPs said nepotism in the voting process was an act of treason. 

“Such wrongdoings are an act of treason and its an oppression against the people of Afghanistan,” said MP Sadiqi Neelizada. 

“All appointments are carried out on the basis of merit and free competition, the process of appointment of civil service officers are carried out in a fair and transparent way, no official is authorized to appoint someone in the institutions,” said deputy presidential spokesman Dawa Khan Menapal.

According to the law, ministerial nominees are allowed to share their working plans and strategies with lawmakers. However seeking a vote of confidence from lawmakers in exchange for money and posts is in violation of the law.