17 Sept, Kathmandu:

The Constituent Assembly has endorsed with more than a two-third majority the amended bill of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072.

A proposal seeking approval of the proposal tabled by Chairperson of the CA Constitution Drafting Committee Krishna Prasad Sitoula was endorsed by a total of 507 votes of the total 532 CA members who took part in the voting, which accounts for more than the required two-third majority of the total existing number of 598 CA members.

A total of 25 votes were received against the proposal.

Ten among the 31 parties represented in the CA have boycotted the constitution drafting process and hence did not take part in the voting.

Those included 15 CA members from Federal Socialist Forum Nepal, 14 from Madheshi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic, 11 from Tarai-Madhesh Loktantrik Party, 6 from Sadbhawana Party, 1 from Nepal Sadbhawana, 6 from Tarai Madhesh Sadbhawana Party, 2 from Tharuhat Tarai Party, 3 from Rastriya Madhesh Samajbadi Party, 1 from MJF-Republican and 1 from Federal Democratic National Forum (Tharuhat).

Although the legal provision was to have 601 CA members in the meeting, there were 598, for two which were to be nominated by the Cabinet were not nominated, while a seat of Rastriya Prajatantra Party remained vacant since the demise of its leader Surya Bahadur Thapa.

After the endorsement of constitution bill, the CA members were elated exchanging best wishes with each other. CA Chairman Nembang was also seen exuding happiness.

The voting that began at 7:30 pm lasted for an hour.

Earlier, while presenting the proposal for the endorsement of the constitution bill, constitution drafting committee Chairman Krishna Prasad Sitaula said, “The constitution has been a highway accommodating all.

We have been proud to be united for Nepal and remain as Nepalis”
According to him, Nepal has been successful to show an exemplary work to the world by bringing the constitution through the CA. It has also inspired us that we can make constitution through the peaceful and non-violent way, he added. He urged the CA meeting to pass the bill as it would make us feel responsible and united to solve future problems.

The CA Chairman had informed the CA members about the division of votes needed for the two-third majority out of the total 598 CA members to pass the constitution bill, which would be 399 votes.

CA chair entrusted for typographical correction

Meanwhile, CA Chairperson was entrusted with the responsibility to make typographical corrections on the endorsed bill of the constitution as per the CA Rules of Procedure-2070 BS.

A five committee headed by Chair of CA’s Constitutional-Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee Dr Baburam Bhattarai was then formed to make necessary correction on the serial number of the Articles and other minor errors in the CA-ratified constitutional bill. The committee comprises Constitution Drafting Committee Chair Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Agni Kharel, Girirajmani Pokharel and Kunti Kumari Shahi.

An arrangement has been made for the CA members to sign on the corrected bill from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm on September 18 at Lhotse meeting hall in the CA building, CA Chair informed.

Likewise, he also apprised the CA meeting that President Dr Ram Baran Yadav is scheduled to sign and promulgate the copy of the ‘Nepal’s Constitution-2072 BS’ certified by CA Chairperson amidst a programme to be held at CA building on September 20.
Next meeting of the CA shall take place at 5.00 pm on September 20. RSS