Law Making

Any law has to be approved by both Houses of the National Assembly (NA) and endorsed by the President.

Proposal for drafting a law is made by the Government or members of the NA, or if related to regulating judiciary, by the Supreme Court through the Government. It is first submitted to the Wolesi Jirga (the Lower House), which has one month to either approve or reject it by two-third.

The proposal is then submitted to the Meshrano Jirga (the Upper House), which will decide its approval or rejection in fifteen days.

In case the President rejects what the National Assembly has approved, he/she shall send it back, within fifteen days from the date it was presented to the Lower House outlining the reasons for rejection and, expiration of the period. If the House of People re-approves it with two thirds of all the votes, the draft will be considered endorsed and enforceable.

Proposals for drafting the budget and financial affairs law shall be made only by the Government.

While deciding about the proposed laws, the National Assembly shall give priority to treaties and development programs that the government considers them to be urgent.

The state budget and development program of the government shall be submitted, through the Upper House to the Lower House. If it is approved by the Lower House, it will be implemented without being submitting to the Upper House, after endorsement by the President.

In case of discussing urgent matters such as the annual budget, or development program, or issues related to the national security, territorial integrity and independence of the country, the sessions of the Assembly shall not end until a decision is made.

If one House rejects decisions of the other, a joint commission comprised of an equal number of members from each House will be formed to solve the difference. The decision of the commission shall be enforced, after endorsement by the President. In case the joint commission can not solve the difference, the decision will be considered rejected. In such cases, the Lower House will pass it with two-thirds majority in its next session, and will have it endorsed by the President. .

Sessions of the National Assembly

Both Houses of the National Assembly will  convene two regular  sessions for the term of nine months annually. The sessions are held concurrently, but separately, unless:

1.  The legislative term or annual sessions are inaugurated by the President;

2.  It is deemed necessary by the President.

The speaker of the Lower House shall preside over the joint sessions f the National Assembly. The sessions are open, except when the Speaker of the NA, or ten members of the House request its secrecy and it is granted by the NA.

The President can order extraordinary sessions of the NA during recess.

The Secretariat of the National Assembly

Upon commencement of their work period, each of the two houses of the National Assembly, elects one member as the Speaker  for the term of the legislature, and two members as, first and second deputies, and two members as secretary and assistant secretary for a period of one year.

These individuals shall form the administrative teams of the Lower House as well as the Upper House.

Regulations of  Internal Duties will determine duties of the administrative team.

The Lower House has  the authority to establish a special commission on the proposal of one third of its members to review, as well as, investigate the actions of Government.

For more details go to Constitution Chapter 5