KABUL - Meshrano Jirga members on Tuesday asked the government to allow the Sikh-Hindu minority to introduce replacement to their slain candidate.
The only Sikh candidate running in the Oct 20 parliamentary election was among 17 minority members killed in a suicide attack in Jalalabad, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province.
On Monday, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) told Pajhwok Afghan News a decision would be taken under the ambit of law to ensure the right of Sikh and Hindu community was protected.
Nineteen people, including 17 Sikhs and Hindu minority members, were killed and 21 others injured in the suicide blast that came as the Sikhs wanted to meet President Ashraf Ghani who was present at the governor’s house.
Awtar Singh, the only candidate of Sikh and Hindu minority for the Wolesi Jirga was among the dead.
According to the election law, the Sikh and Hindu community has one seat at the lower house and slain Awtar Singh was the only contender for the seat.
GulalaiAkbari, an upper house member from northeastern Badakhshan province, asked why the minority members were invited without security measures being taken.
Senator LatifZwandai demanded through investigation into the attack and asked the IEC to give the Hindu/Sikh minority another chance to elect their candidate.
He said the Sikhs and Hindus were a peaceful community and their rights should not be violated.
First deputy chairman Senate Mohammad AlamEzedyar said called it government responsibility’s to protect all citizens, including Sikh and Hindu minority members.
He also demanded the government and the IEC return the minority community assets and wealth which had been usurped.  (Pajhwok)