The 17th legislative term of the Afghan parliament, the Wolesi Jirga, officially started on Saturday in absence of Kabul MPs in which lawmakers were divided over the election of administrative board and the speaker of the house. 

President Ghani inaugurated the parliament late last month despite the results of the election of five provinces, including Kabul.

But now the results of all provinces except Kabul has been announced. 

Some MPs said they should elect the administrative board and the speaker, while others opposed the move and added that they should wait for Kabul representatives. 

Some MPs said postponing administrative board elections is in contravention of the law.

“Mr. Speaker! Let’s do the election. Your authority is to hold the elections, not give time to the MPs. These issues are all against the Constitution,” said Kamal Nasir Osoli, an MP.

“We should consider the rights of the people. Based on the Article 33 of the Constitution, they (MPs) have the right to elect or be elected. If the right of Kabul MPs is violated, it means the right of Kabul people has been ignored,” said Abdul Rauf Enami, an MP. 

“Electing the administrative board in absence of Kabul MPs is an obvious violation of the Constitution,” said Mohammad Alem Saee, an MP. 

Due to the disagreements, the administrative board election did not happen. 

In addition to Kabul, Ghazni province also does not have MPs in the house as elections have not been held in the province.