The race for the vice-presidency in Nepal seems to be more intense and competitive than that for the presidency, which already has a clear winner in Ram Chandra Paudel of the Nepali Congress. As it turns out, four candidates have registered their candidacies for the position of vice-president, with three of them from the ruling coalition itself – Pramila Yadav, Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav and Mamata Jha. While Jha is from the Janamat Party, the other two are from the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP). UML’s Astalaxmi Shakya is also in the fray. However, there's a catch; a woman must be elected to this position as per the constitution, which should come as a sigh of relief to the JSP, which has already fielded two candidates - one male and one female!
As the deadline set by the Election Commission (EC) to register nominations for the post of vice-president expired on March 11, the candidates have now set their sights on the race for the ceremonial post. There are also rumors that a couple of the candidates from the ruling alliance could withdraw from the race before the voting. While the presidency holds more constitutional responsibilities, the vice-president's role is almost negligible. So why are party leaders so interested in this position? Is it just a matter of prestige, or is there more to it than meets the eye?
It seems that with the presidency already in the bag, party leaders are now vying for the second-best option - the vice presidency - to cement their positions within the ruling coalition. Sure, it may not come with a lot of power, but who cares when there's the opportunity to bask in the limelight and be hailed as a ‘leader’ of the country, not to mention the lucrative salary, allowances, and other juicy perks and benefits that come with the position. It could even be a stepping stone to a future presidential candidacy, for those with their sights set on the highest office.
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Whatever their motives may be, one thing is clear - these candidates are not taking this race lightly. They're in it to win it, and they'll stop at nothing to emerge victorious. It is conceivable that a variety of political maneuvers may unfold in the coming days as these ambitious politicians contend for the position of vice president. Meanwhile, the observers can only sit back, observe the proceedings, and await the outcome with interest!
The EC has already decided that a woman should be elected to the position of vice-president. Article 38 of the Constitution of Nepal 2015 states that "Women shall have the right to participate in all bodies of the State on the basis of the principle of proportional inclusion." So, it is imperative to have women represented in high-level positions within the government, and the vice-president's position should be no exception. It is commendable that the EC has taken this stance and made it a requirement. It is important to note that women's participation in politics is not only a matter of equality but also essential for democracy to function effectively.
It is amusing to observe the intense interest among party leaders to become the vice president, given that the position holds little to no important state role. The vice president's responsibilities are mainly ceremonial, with the president being responsible for all major constitutional duties. However, the election for this position has unexpectedly turned out to be more competitive and intense than that for the presidency.
Perhaps this is a reflection of the growing recognition of the importance of women's participation in the political process. The EC’s directive, citing Article 38 (4) of the Constitution, clearly states that women have the right to participate in all state bodies based on the principle of proportional inclusion. It is therefore imperative that a female candidate be elected to the post of vice president as a man has already been elected to the presidency.
It is really interesting to see that there are four candidates vying for the position of vice president, with three of them being from the ruling coalition. And the fact that three of these four candidates are women is also encouraging, as it indicates a growing awareness of the importance of gender diversity in leadership positions. As Nepal continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world, it is essential that women's voices are heard and represented at all levels of government. Electing a woman as vice president would be an important step towards achieving this goal.
