Legislative Branch Reform – 2015

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Legislative Branch Reform – 2015

2015

Intermediate Implementation Intermediate implementation

The disagreement on the electoral system could not be sorted out by the 22 January due date for the draft of the constitution.1 After the massive earthquake on May 12, political leaders representing the big four parties in the Constituent Assembly met to discuss the constitution issue on 31 May, and agreed to settle all key issues within a few days and produce a draft constitution through fast-track.2 On 9 June, 4 major political parties reached 16-point agreement to deal with the contentious issues.3 The CA approved the draft constitution on July 7 forpublic feedback.4 The draft constitution provided a bicameral parliament comprised of the federal legislature parliament and the upper house. There will be 275 members in the legislature parliament of which 165 will be elected through first-past-the-post system and the rest (110 members) will be elected through the proportional system. The Upper house will have 45 members of which 40 members will be elected equally from each federal province and five will be nominated by president on the recommendation of the council of ministers. Provincial parliaments will be unicameral. The constitution requires that the parties must elect at least one-third women representatives in the federal legislature as well as the provincial legislature.

  1. “Nepal fails to draft new constitution before promised deadline,” Xinhua News Agency, January 22, 2015. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-01/23/c_133941628.htm
  2. “Big 4 agree to settle key disputes in next 3 days,” Republica, May 31, 2015
  3. “Way paved for constitution as four parties reach 16-pt deal,” Kathmandu Post, June 9, 2015.
  4. “CA concludes deliberation on draft constitution, sends for public feedback,” Himalayan Times, July 7, 2015.