Constitution amendment taskforce consults former Presidents Dr Yadav and Bhandari

KATHMANDU, June 5: The task force formed to prepare a discussion paper on constitution amendment held separate meetings with the former president duo, Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Bidya Devi Bhandari, and collected their suggestions on the matter.

Vital recommendations were elicited from Dr Yadav and Bhandari on the content to make the Constitution timely, practical and further consolidated.

The task force, formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Balendra Shah's political advisor, Asim Shah, reached out to the residents of former presidents and held crucial discussions focusing on national interests and systemic reforms.

First President Dr Yadav suggested a task force to prepare the discussion note by ensuring a wider national consensus.

He clarified the need of the hour to keep intact the main spirit of the Constitution that was promulgated following the arduous struggle of the Nepali people, unflagging devotion and rigorous discussion through the Constituent Assembly.

"It is spectacular to move forward keeping in mind the changing demands and sentiments of the new generation while emphasizing protecting vital pillars of the Constitution such as federalism, democracy, republicanism, secularism, and proportional inclusion," Dr Yadav noted.

Hailing the current process adopted by the task force to prepare the discussion paper as a positive and democratic exercise, he underlined the need to take sufficient time and carry out thorough groundwork even for amendments.

Yadav urged the task force to show maximum respect to the diversity of Nepali society while preparing the discussion paper.

Regarding women's participation and inclusion, former President Bhandari emphasized safeguarding the achievements, such as one-third participation of women enshrined in the Constitution, and making it more practical.

She suggested that the current proportional system, which was meant for honest and capable people, has been increasingly misused and has tarnished the repute of major parties, and therefore, the number of women should now be clearly determined in the first-past-the-post election system.

For this, she highlighted the need for constitutional reforms that would either secure those seats for women or enable women to actively compete in direct elections.

Similarly, regarding ambassadorial appointments, she expressed the view that the practice of recalling or removing ambassadors upon a change of government should be revised.

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