Seat for Hindus, Sikhs in Lower House of Afghan Parliament

The Afghan President has issued a legislative decree that gives minority Hindus and Sikhs a seat in the country’s next parliamentarian election.

Afghan 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 Parliament.

A seat in the Wolesi Jirga has been designated for them, according to a statement from the office of the President.

The National Assembly of Afghanistan is a bicameral body, comprising two chambers, Wolesi Jirga with 249 seats and Meshrano Jirga or the Upper House with 102 seats.

With the designated seat, the Lower House will now have 250 members.

Mr. Karzai’s decision has come after lawmakers declined to reserve a special seat for Hindus and Sikhs through law.

The Afghan President has the power to issue legislative decrees when the Parliament is on vacation