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The CPN-UML on Thursday obstructed the National Assembly meeting demanding formation of a high-level probe committee to investigate the one quintal gold smuggling case.

As soon as the meeting began, UML lawmaker Bhairav Kumar Shrestha said they would not allow the National Assembly proceed with its business until the government forms a high-level probe committee.

He also said that the UML would not be a mute spectator in the latest gold smuggling case.

Shrestha suspected that the people in the government were also involved in the gold smuggling scam.

Saying that he would draw the attention of the government towards the issue, National Assembly Chairperson Ganesh Prasad Timilsina urged the UML to create a conducive environment to operate the meeting smoothly.

After the UML lawmakers refused to give up their stance despite repeated requests, Chairperson Timilsina said that the meeting has been postponed till August 7.

The CPN (Maoist Center) is not a political party in a strict sense, Maoist chair and prime minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ has said.
In his opening remarks at the fourth meeting of the party’s Central Committee, which began in Kathmandu on Wednesday, he said that there was an urgent need to reform the party, and presented some of his plans.  

“I have said this in the past as well. We have a huge line of leaders and workers, but the party is not like a party.” Dahal said that the Maoist Center must start a campaign to rebuild a communist party in a true sense. For that, he directed the Central Committee members to take the responsibility of party  reconstruction and reformation by conducting debates and discussions in a disciplined manner.

After the formation of the government under the leadership of his party, Maoist Chair claimed that the people are hopeful about the country’s future, and that this was the perfect time for the Maoist party to launch a party rebuilding campaign.The Central Committee meeting also decided to amend the party statute to increase women representation and include new leaders in the central member roster. With the passing of this proposal, the number of Maoist central members will now be 409. There are currently 199 alternate central members. 

In the meeting, Dahal also submitted an organizational proposal to hold a legislative conference after conducting a three-month campaign to strengthen the party organization.  “A three-month campaign will be conducted to strengthen the party and after that, the Statute Convention will be held,” Dahal has mentioned in the proposal. The campaign is set to take place from August through October. It is mentioned that 6,743 ward committees will be formed across the country and all the ethnic fronts will include at least 10 percent of their population. 

The party also plans to digitize all committees, make an annual calendar, hold a legislative conference in November, assign party secretaries with the responsibilities of overseeing the provinces, and deploying all central members to the ward levels for party rebuilding.. Dahal has also proposed unity with those forces that share similar ideas with the Maoists. 

US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the latter’s official residence in Baluwatar on Thursday.

Issues related to the implementation of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), bilateral relations between the two countries and the US support for Nepal's economic development among others were discussed in the meeting, a source said.

According to a high-level source, Ambassador Thompson also asked the Prime Minister about whether he will participate in the United Nations General Assembly.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is making preparations for PM Dahal’s China visit.

Though China had invited Nepal to take part in the Boao Forum for Asia in March-end, Prime Minister Dahal canceled the trip at the last hour.

Earlier in July, US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu also came to Nepal to discuss the implementation of the MCC.

The US has been urging the political parties of Nepal for the implementation of the MCC which was endorsed by the Parliament.

According to the MCC agreement, the US has announced to provide USD 500 to Nepal for the implementation of a 315-km double circuit 400 kV transmission line and roads upgrade.

Compared to other South Asian countries, Nepal’s electoral process is considerably free and fair. However, there are many loopholes where the country needs to make urgent improvements to strengthen democracy.  

The Election Commission (EC) has come up with a draft of new law which proposes sweeping changes in the country’s election law to create a more inclusive and accountable electoral process. The draft law, prepared after comprehensive consultations with political parties, is currently being studied by the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

The changes proposed in the election laws were made based on various factors, including the orders from the Supreme Court, practices followed in other democratic countries, and lessons learned from Nepal’s own electoral history.

Constitutional expert Chandra Kanta Gyawali says the proposed law aims to address numerous issues related to free and fair elections, such as allowing voting rights to Nepali citizens living abroad, imposing a spending ceiling on candidates and taking measures to minimize the chances of vote-rigging.  The law covers all types of election, from presidential to local level, and if endorsed, will further improve and democratize the election process.  

Key provisions 

One of the proposed changes is the implementation of an online-based voter registration system. This system will modernize the way citizens register to vote, making it easier and more efficient for everyone to participate in the democratic process, say EC officials.

To ensure that Nepalis living abroad too have a say in the nation's governance, the EC has proposed including them on the voter list and allowing them to cast their votes under the Proportional Representation (PR) system. 

The election governing body has also proposed a provision to prohibit candidates who have lost in federal, provincial, or local elections from running in other elections, except in the case of their own constituencies or local units. This measure is aimed at preventing candidates from hopping from one constituency to another.

To ensure a diverse representation of voices, the EC has proposed restricting candidates, who had been elected twice under the PR system, from running again through the same route. To ensure women representation, the EC has proposed making at least 33 percent women candidates mandatory under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting system. 

The EC plans to boost women’s participation even further in local units. To this end, the election body has proposed a provision that requires parties to field women in the posts of either mayor/chairperson or deputy mayor/vice chairpersons in local units. If parties are filing candidacy in one of these two posts, it has to be women. The EC has also proposed that 33 percent of the candidates for the post of ward chairpersons in local units has to be women. 

Another key proposition made by the EC in the election law is  the ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) option on the ballot paper. This option would give voters the chance to express their dissatisfaction if they feel that none of the candidates are suitable to represent them. 

In 2014, the Supreme Court had directed the government to allow voters to cast negative votes by including NOTA option on the ballot paper. But the directive was never implemented at the consensus of major political parties.  Another crucial proposal to reform the country’s election process proposed is fixing the election dates and campaigning period to ensure a more structured and organized electoral process. 

Similarly, the poll body has recommended setting the candidate eligibility criteria directly in the law itself. This proposal aims to establish clear standards for individuals aspiring to run for public office. The EC has also proposed prohibiting candidates from contesting elections under a different party's banner before formally resigning from their current party. This provision intends to discourage the practice of using other political parties' election symbols for personal gain.

To expedite the resolution of disputes regarding the eligibility of elected candidates, the EC has suggested that the concerned courts must render a final decision within six months from the day the case is filed. Furthermore, the EC has proposed a provision mandating candidates to declare their assets held in their name or in the name of their family members during the nomination process. 

Recognizing the importance of diverse representation, the EC has recommended providing a 50 percent discount on the election deposit amount for candidates belonging to Dalit, women, underprivileged, sexual and gender minorities, and people with disabilities. 

Likewise, the EC has also suggested introducing advance voting under the PR system for specific groups, such as government staffers assigned on poll duty, security personnel, election observers, and individuals preparing for foreign visits.  The EC has said that these changes would be incorporated into the ‘Bill to Amend and Unify Existing Election Laws’ and forwarded to the Cabinet through the Ministry of Home Affairs.

EC hopeful of parliamentary endorsement 

Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said the commission is positive that the lawmakers will endorse the bill aimed at improving the country’s electoral system. He added that in consultations held with the chief whips of all political parties, the EC officials were assured that the proposed law will get parliamentary endorsement.  But Ila Sharma, former EC commissioner, said that there was no guarantee that Parliament would accept all the provisions suggested by the EC. As electoral reform is an ongoing process, all issues may not be incorporated at once, she added. Sharma suggested that all sections of society should exert pressure on the political parties and the government to reform the electoral process.

Key suggestions

• NOTA ballot paper 
• Ensuring diverse representation 
• Declaration of assets by candidates 
• 33 representation of women at all levels 
• Voting rights for Nepali living abroad 
• Online-based voter registration 
• Fixing the date of election by EC