After Delays, Afghan President Inaugurates New Parliament
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - President Ashraf Ghani has inaugurated the country's new parliament almost six months after elections were held and following long delays, claims of voter fraud, unresolved disputes and political bickering.
Ghani spoke at the ceremony Friday in Kabul, which brought together both the lower, legislative, 249-seat chamber and the appointed, 104-member upper house, AP reported.
He expressed regret over the delays and the fact that 33 seats for lawmakers from the districts in central Kabul province were empty because the election commission still has not announced results for those districts.
Ghani blamed what he said was the "inefficiency of former election commission members" who have since been replaced.
The October election day was marred by bombings and attacks on polling stations across the country that killed 27 civilians and 11 policemen.
