KABUL - A number of lawmakers on Saturday stressed that the government should specify a date for parliamentary elections.

Based on article 83 of the constitution, parliamentary polls should have taken place by now, but the Independent Election Commission (IEC) cited lack of funds as a reason for postponing the democratic exercise.

Ramazan Bashardost, a lawmaker from Kabul, stressed the government should specify a date for elections soon.

He said without a date there was no legal basis for lower house of parliament to continue with its work beyond June 22--- a date that the incumbent parliament’s term was getting over. “Without a date, government leaders should be summoned to parliament to explain the inordinate delay,” he remarked.

Bashardost said he had prepared a document to summon leaders of unity government to parliament. He said the lawmakers who have not made any secret deals with the government would sign the document.

Article 69 of the constitution states: “The president shall be responsible to the nation as well as house of the people in accordance with the provisions of this article. Accusations of crimes against humanity, national treason as well as crime against the president shall be demanded by one third of all members of the house of people. If this demand is approved by two thirds of house of people, the house shall convene the Loya Jirga within one month.”

Other members of parliament, however, were of the opinion that until holding of next elections their work would be legal.

Obaidullah Ramin, Baghlan lawmaker, asked member of the house to give government a one-week deadline about elections date.

Shukria Barekzai, another MP, said the house should not give permission to government leaders or Supreme Court to take decision about MPs or to translate laws as they desired.

She added the president also did not start his work on a date that was specified by the constitution.

Other members of the lower house also insisted that their work would be legal beyond June 22. Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, the house speaker, said: “The current members of the house have completed nine legislative terms. One more term is remaining.”

Ibrahimi once again urged the government to specify date for holding parliamentary elections. (Pajhwok)