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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

Prime Minister Shah calls constitutional council meeting for Thursday

From Kathmandu Post · (4m ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Prime Minister Balendra Shah has convened a constitutional council meeting for Thursday at 5:00 pm, marking his first such meeting since taking office.
  • The meeting is expected to address the appointment of a new chief justice, a position vacant since March 31.
  • The council will also consider appointments to other constitutional bodies, including the Election Commission, following the recent introduction of an ordinance that allows decisions with a three-member majority.

Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah is set to chair his first constitutional council meeting on Thursday, signaling a proactive approach to filling key governmental positions. The meeting, scheduled for 5:00 pm, comes shortly after the government introduced an ordinance that revises the council's decision-making process, allowing for resolutions with a majority of three out of six members.

This will be the first meeting of the council chaired by Shah since he assumed office as prime minister on March 27.

— Prime Minister's SecretariatThis quote highlights the significance of the meeting as the Prime Minister's first convening of the constitutional council.

The primary agenda item is the crucial appointment of a new chief justice, a role that has remained vacant since the retirement of Prakash Man Singh Raut on March 31. Senior-most justice Sapana Pradhan Malla is currently serving in an acting capacity, and the council's decision will bring stability to the judiciary.

Under the revised provision, decisions can be taken if at least three of the six members agree.

— Office of the Prime Minister and Council of MinistersThis quote explains the key change introduced by the recent ordinance, which alters the council's decision-making threshold.

Beyond the judiciary, the constitutional council is also tasked with filling several other significant vacancies in constitutional bodies, notably the Election Commission. This focus on appointments underscores the government's commitment to ensuring the proper functioning of state institutions. The revised ordinance, allowing for decisions with a reduced quorum, suggests an effort to expedite these critical appointments, reflecting a desire for efficient governance under Prime Minister Shah's leadership.

The meeting is expected to focus on the appointment of a new chief justice.

— Office of the Prime Minister and Council of MinistersThis quote identifies the most critical appointment the council is expected to address.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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