Nepal’s new constitution ensures unity, prosperity

RIYADH: Once popular as the Himalayan Kingdom, it is now officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal after adopting the first democratic constitution in a historic step to unite the country for progress and prosperity. In an interview with Arab News on the development Ananda Prasad Sharma, charge d’ Affaires at the Nepal embassy here said: “The promulgation of the new constitution in Nepal by the overwhelming majority of the members of the Constituent Assembly recently has ensured the successful conclusion of the peace process that started in 2006.” With this constitution, not only the long-cherished aspiration of Nepalese people for making a constitution through elected Constituent Assembly has come true but also Nepal has thus become the second country in South Asia to adopt a constitution through democratically elected Constituent Assembly,” he added. He noted that no constitution in the world is perfect, but to judge by any fair standard our new constitution has all the main features of a democratic and inclusive polity. “Commitments like democratic norms and values have been expressed in the very preamble, while civil liberty, fundamental rights, human rights, adult franchise, periodic elections, complete press freedom, an independent, impartial and competent judiciary and the concept of rule of law are there in the legal rights provisions,” he noted. Moreover, Separate Dalit (oppressed and marginalized community), Indigenous and Madehsi commissions have also been established to protect rights and welfare of the respective communities, he informed. Furthermore, as a concrete step toward inclusive state structure, the constitution provides that while conducting election of the president and vice president, the election shall be held so as to represent different gender or communities, the envoy said adding likewise, while electing speaker and deputy speaker, either speaker or deputy speaker shall be a woman and belong to different parties. “This constitution is dynamic in true sense with provisions for amendment and with the promulgation of this constitution a new chapter has begun in the history of Nepal which is expected to being its developmental journey toward economic growth and prosperity,” Sharma underlined. As per the constitution, at least one-third of the total number of members elected from each political party represented in the Federal Parliament should be women.