KABUL - The Council of Ministers Secretariat on Monday verified the new draft of the election laws and it would be submitted to the parliament for approval, an official said.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) Chairman Fazal Ahmed Manavi while addressing the gathering to introduce the new commissioner, Zai-ul-Haq Amarkhel, as the head of the Election Commission Secretariat, said Afghanistan was now among the countries that have election laws.

He said they would administer the electoral affairs under the legislative decree of the president.

The draft would be submitted to the IEC for review and forwarded to the council of ministers secretariat before it is send to Wolesi Jirga for approval, he said.

Once the Jirga approves, the draft would be sent to the president for his signature before it is published in the national gazette and later becomes law.

At the ceremony, Manavi said the president decided to introduce a professional and skilled person for the post after Abdullah Ahmedzai resigned as the head of the IEC secretariat.

Amarkhel pledged to perform his duty efficiently and urged the government, civilians, political parties and civil society to promote fair and transparent election in the country.

He also urged for financial and technical assistance from the international community for the upcoming elections. (Pajhwok)