a new parliament was created, dominated by its lower house (the wolesi jirgah), which was to be elected through universal suffrage. it had the power to reject royal appointments to the cabinet and to dismiss it by a vote of no confidence. laws passed by parliament were to have constitutional precedence over traditional islamic law (the sharia). parliament was to meet regularly, not at royal pleasure as before. it could refuse budget increases, but could not reduce appropriations below the level of the previous year. its members had control over the organization of parliament and enjoyed legal immunity for what they said in debate. members had the right to form political parties, but their formation required legislation acceptable to the cabinet and, hence, the king.