Majority of MPs continue to remain absent from National Assembly causing lack of quorum for a session to be held. Even when Eid holidays are finished, they have not returned. More than a hundred MPs had gone to Hajj, paralyzing the functioning of parliament at a crucial time when important decisions are being made, including the debate on electoral law.

It has been reported that many of these MPs went to the pilgrimage in Mecca on Government expenses. Probably many had been invited by the current Administration to buy their loyalty in parliamentary affairs. We urge the judiciary to take notice and establish a commission to investigate the issue. If found true, it would be the lowest morality crack of our society where the political elite do not bother with corruption in their religious practices too.

These are crucial times for Afghanistan's legislature. The important laws, particularly the draft Law on Composition, Duties and Mandate of the Independent Election Commission and Electoral Complaints Commission. The urgency of electoral law needs special attention and activism of MPs. Reportedly, the IEC is going to announce April 05, 2014 for the Presidential polls.

Much work needs to be done before that. The Government has been intentionally going turtle-speed on the legislation related to elections, role of institutions and clarity of constitution in this regard.

It has not only been the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid holidays. Absenteeism is a routine for a large number of MPs in Wolesi Jirga. Recent reports by the Free and Fair Election Foundation for Afghanistan on parliamentary monitoring of last six months show absenteeism of MPs common throughout the year. Though not to a level to cause lack of quorum, their regular absence shows lack of interest.

As elected representatives of the people, they are obliged to fulfill their responsibilities by actively taking part in the legislature. The proposed judicial or a joint parliamentary commission should investigate presence of MPs throughout the year. Those with regular absentees should be named and shamed.

On Monday, when the session was cancelled due to lack of quorum, some of the present MPs were outraged on absence of their colleagues for more than two weeks now. They demanded a probe into the matter.