Ordinary Afghans from different parts of the country see the ongoing tensions in the Afghan parliament as an insult the dignity of the house as lawmakers have failed to elect a speaker.

The new lawmakers who started serving as members of the Wolesi Jirga, the Lower House of the Parliament, elected Parwan MP Mir Rahman Rahmani as speaker of the house in controversial voting. However, the decision was not accepted by another leading candidate Kamal Nasir Osuli, who insists on relaunching of the voting process.

“Unfortunately, they [MPs] are fighting for their seats and are engaged in a brawl,” said Abdul Waris, a Kabul resident.

“We cannot trust anyone now,” said Hamidullah, a Kabul resident. “It is an insult to [the dignity] of the parliament.”

Lawmakers, meanwhile, said the rift over the speaker election has affected the activities of the house.

“All lawmakers were paid their first month’s salary but they have done ‘nothing’ and it is a ‘shame’,” said Belqis Roshan, an MP.

“It [the tensions] has put the parliament in a standstill,” said Arif Rahmani, an MP.

“The pride and dignity of the nation’s house was badly damaged,” said MP Farooq Majroh.