DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

Nepal task force submits sweeping constitutional amendment proposals amid elusive consensus

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • A government task force submitted proposals for amending 245 articles of Nepal's constitution, covering electoral systems, judiciary, and federalism.
  • The proposals, compiled in a discussion paper, include major changes like a directly elected president and restructuring the judiciary, but do not recommend specific amendment packages.
  • Constitutional experts and political parties question the report's credibility due to a lack of broad political consensus, warning that amendments without wider ownership could face uncertainty.

A government task force has submitted a comprehensive report suggesting amendments to 245 articles of Nepal's constitution, despite several major political parties withdrawing from the process. The proposals cover a wide array of issues, including the electoral system, judiciary, governance structure, and federalism, aiming to reform the nation's foundational law.

Key suggestions include the introduction of a directly elected executive president, significant reforms to the judiciary, and a review of the federal structure, with some submissions even calling for the abolition of federalism. The task force emphasized that its report does not propose changes to Nepal's sovereignty, territorial integrity, or the principle of citizen power. The 500-page discussion paper was presented to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, but the task force clarified its role was limited to compiling suggestions, not recommending specific amendment packages.

However, the report faces skepticism from constitutional experts and political parties. Critics argue that Nepal's constitution, built on broad political compromise, requires widespread ownership for any amendments to be credible. They contend that the government missed an opportunity to foster a national consensus by failing to involve all major political forces in a broad-based exercise.

Concerns have been raised that without broader political buy-in, the process of constitutional amendment could become even more uncertain. The task force, led by the prime minister's political advisor Asim Shah, collected views from various stakeholders, including political parties, legal experts, and civil society groups, receiving thousands of suggestions through different electronic platforms. Despite the extensive consultation, the task force maintained its neutral stance, stating its mandate was solely to prepare a discussion paper.

We have not taken any position. Our role was not to create a position. We have not taken any position.

— Asim ShahCoordinator of the task force, explaining that the panel's mandate was to compile suggestions, not to formulate its own position on constitutional amendments.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog