The National Assembly (Persian: شورای ملی) is Afghanistan's national legislature. It is a bicameral body, comprising two chambers:
- Wolesi Jirga (Pashto: ولسي جرګه) or the House of the People: the 250-member lower house.
- Meshrano Jirga (Pashto: مشرانوجرګه)) or the House of Elders: an upper house with 102 seats.
"The National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as the highest legislative organ is the manifestation of the will of its people and represents the whole nation. Every member of the National Assembly takes into judgment the general welfare and supreme interests of all people of Afghanistan at the time of casting their vote".Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (Article 81)
A new Seat of government has been constructed with Indian assistance. The former King of Afghanistan, Mohammed Zahir Shah, laid the foundation stone for a new parliament building on August 29, 2005.
There are plans by the Afghan government to rebuild the Darul Aman Palace and use it to house the National Assembly.
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“In the past, it seemed to make sense for a sportswriter on sabbatical from the playpen to attend the quadrennial hawgkilling when Presidential candidates are chosen, to observe and report upon politicians at play. After all, national conventions are games of a sort, and sports offers few spectacles richer in low comedy.”
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