In a centralised state system, ‘a strong president’ is able to appoint and dismiss the cabinet and appoint judges and senior military commanders.
The president will be elected in direct balloting for a five-year term. The Constitution calls for a two House legislature viz., the House of the People and House of Elders.
The president appoints one-third of the Upper House members, and half of his appointees must be women.
Structure:Under the new Constitution, the bicameral National Assembly consists of the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (no more than 250 seats), directly elected for a five-year term, and the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (composed of one representative from each provincial council, one representative from each district council, and a number of presidential appointees; the presidential appointees will include two representatives of Kuchis and two representatives of the disabled; half of the presidential appointees will be women);
Chief of state: President of the TISA, Hamid Karzai (since November 3, 2004);
Head of government: President of the TISA, Hamid Karzai (since November 3, 2004);
{{/usCountry}}Head of government: President of the TISA, Hamid Karzai (since November 3, 2004);
{{/usCountry}}Cabinet:The 30-member TISA; Under the new Constitution, ministers are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly
elections: October 9, 2004
Election results:Hamid Karzai elected president; per cent of vote - Hamid Karzai - 55.4 per cent, Yunus Qanooni - 16.3 per cent, Mohammad Mohaqeq - 11.6 per cent, Abdul Rashid Dostam 10.0 per cent, Abdul Latif Pedram - 1.4 per cent, Masooda Jalal - 1.2 per cent.