The ruling parties have reintroduced the proposal to designate the Vice President as the chairperson of the National Assembly through a constitutional amendment. Although the issue was previously debated by the Constituent Assembly during the constitution drafting process, it was excluded due to disagreements among major political parties. Nearly a decade since the promulgation of the new constitution, it appears that all parties are likely to agree on the issue. The ruling parties, in consultation with other parties, are reportedly making arrangements to amend the relevant Articles of the constitution and provide the Vice President with two offices. The Vice President will operate from the National Assembly when performing duties there and from the Vice President's office when not engaged in Assembly work. Several countries with parliamentary systems have also adopted similar provisions, allowing the Vice President to maintain dual offices. The consensus reached among parties on this issue is a positive development, given the fact that the constitution provides limited roles and responsibilities to the Vice President. Such a provision will not only help reduce the financial burden on the state coffers but also broaden the role of the Vice President. The plan, which will reduce redundancy, optimize resource allocation, and align with international practices, should be welcomed as a prudent move toward efficiency.
Nepal will not be an exception if such changes are incorporated into the constitution. It is common for the Vice President to have an office in the Parliament when presiding over the upper house and a separate office outside the Parliament for their duties as Vice President. In neighboring India, the Vice President also serves as the presiding chair of the upper house, the Rajya Sabha. A dedicated office is provided for the Vice President to carry out responsibilities outside the Parliament. Currently, the role of the Vice President is limited to acting as the Acting Head of State in the absence of the President and attending reception events organized by various diplomatic agencies and other organizers. This is partly because the post of Vice President does not fall within the priority of any major parties compared to the President or the Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR). The amendment to designate the roles and responsibilities of the Vice President in the National Assembly will make the position more functional and relevant.
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It is said that certain provisions in the constitution are being amended as per the agreement reached between the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML to form a government on July 1. While it is good that the major parties are now realizing the need for amendments, it is essential to forge consensus with other political parties in the Parliament. Open dialogue with all parties to accommodate their concerns is critical for the success of the constitutional amendment. The major parties represented in Parliament first need to sit together for discussions and take suggestions from experts on ways to reduce redundancy and optimize resource allocation to make the current system of governance sustainable. While no constitutional amendment is without challenges, the proposal floated by the major parties is a step in the right direction. This demonstrates that they are willing to adapt governance structures in response to practical realities. The amendment, if successful, represents a progressive stride toward a more efficient and financially sustainable governance system.
