Wolesi Jirga

Wolesi Jirga
Name	Wolesi Jirga
Native name	ولسي جرګه
Legislature	National Assembly of Afghanistan
House type	Lower house
Body	Afghanistan
Foundation	0 1931
Disbanded	15 August 2021
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Mir Rahman Rahmani (last)
Election1	2019
Seats	250
Voting system	Single non-transferable vote
Last election1	2018
Meeting place	Kabul

Wolesi Jirga. The Wolesi Jirga, or House of the People, was the lower house of the National Assembly of Afghanistan as established by the 2004 Constitution. It served as a central legislative body, sharing authority with the upper Meshrano Jirga and operating within the framework of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The institution, whose members were directly elected by the people, was dissolved following the Taliban takeover in August 2021.

History

The concept of a national assembly in Afghanistan has historical roots in the Loya Jirga, a traditional grand council of elders. A more formal bicameral legislature was first introduced under King Mohammed Nadir Shah with the Constitution of 1931. However, the modern Wolesi Jirga was formally constituted following the Bonn Agreement and the ratification of the new constitution in 2004, which re-established the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Its first elections were held in 2005, marking a significant phase in the post-Taliban political transition. The body functioned until the collapse of the republic government in 2021.

Composition and elections

The Wolesi Jirga consisted of 250 members elected for five-year terms. Elections were conducted based on a Single non-transferable vote system within provincial constituencies, with seat allocation proportional to population. The constitution mandated that at least 68 seats, approximately 27%, be reserved for women, a provision outlined in the 2004 Afghan Constitution. Candidates ran as individuals rather than on formal party lists, although many were affiliated with political groups like Jamiat-e Islami or Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin. The final election was the contentious 2018 Afghan parliamentary election, which faced significant delays and allegations of fraud.

Powers and functions

The chamber held primary responsibility for making and ratifying laws, approving the national budget, and confirming key ministerial appointments made by the President of Afghanistan. It had the authority to issue votes of no confidence against ministers and to approve or reject declarations of war and states of emergency. The Wolesi Jirga also played a role in the treaty ratification process. Its legislative powers were shared with the Meshrano Jirga, but it held exclusive power over financial matters and confidence votes, as detailed in the Constitution of Afghanistan.

Leadership and committees

The assembly was presided over by a Speaker, elected by its members from among themselves; the last speaker was Mir Rahman Rahmani. The Speaker was assisted by two deputies and a secretary. Legislative work was organized through permanent internal committees, such as those for finance, internal affairs, and international relations. These committees reviewed proposed legislation, conducted oversight hearings, and summoned officials from the executive branch, including ministers from the Ministry of Finance or the Ministry of Defense.

Relationship with other government bodies

The Wolesi Jirga operated within a system of checks and balances with the executive and judicial branches. It interacted closely with the President of Afghanistan, who could veto legislation, which the assembly could then override with a two-thirds majority. It shared legislative power with the upper house, the Meshrano Jirga, and disagreements between the two chambers were resolved by a joint committee. The judiciary, led by the Supreme Court of Afghanistan, could review the constitutionality of laws passed by the assembly.

Current membership and recent elections

The last elected membership derived from the 2018 Afghan parliamentary election, which saw winners such as Mir Rahman Rahmani from Parwan Province and Kamal Nasir Osoli from Herat Province. The election was marred by low turnout, security threats from the Taliban, and technical problems with the biometric verification system. The assembly's term was officially set to end in 2023, but it ceased to function after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021, and no subsequent elections have been held under the new Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan regime.

Category:National lower houses Category:Defunct unicameral legislatures Category:Politics of Afghanistan