Civil society members were airing their views at a meeting with members of the Constituency Delineation Commission (CDC) in the capital on Sunday. The commission has been holding meetings with various stakeholders for their opinion regarding delineation of electoral constituencies. [break]
Former Speaker of House of Representative Daman Nath Dhungana said number of electoral constituencies should be increased in proportion of the population. “Electoral constituencies should be delineated while maintaining majority of certain community that is already there,” he added.
Dhungana also said that there is constitutional contradiction regarding delineation of electoral constituencies and that the commission should ask the government to make necessary amendment to the constitution.
Civil society leader Malla K Sundar said that inclusiveness and proportional representation of marginalized communities should be kept in mind while delineating electoral constituencies.
“There must be justifiable representation of marginalized and oppressed communities,” he stated, adding, “Delineation of electoral constituencies should not be based only on numbers.”
He also suggested that social population cluster should not be divided while delineating electoral constituencies.
Similarly, human rights activist Subodh Pyakurel suggested that the commission should work on all 240 constituencies rather than the 35 constituencies added for the last CA elections. As pet the constitutional provision, the CDC can make changes only to 35 constituencies.
“The commission cannot make a dispute-free report if it abides by the given terms of references,” Pyakurel argued.
Advocate Santosh Rana Magar maintained that delineation of electoral constituencies should be based on the number of voters in the respective area. “The commission should also address concerns of the people of respective constituencies,” he said.
The commission has already held discussions with political leaders and experts on the issue. They were also divided over the basis for delineation of electoral constituencies.
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