KATHMANDU, August 27: The Election Constituency Delimitation Commission (ECDC) has given least priority to geography while fixing election constituencies for the upcoming provincial and parliamentary elections. 

A member of the commission said geography was not given due priority although the constitution has categorically fixed population and geography as major bases for the purpose. The constitution has stated to create at least an election constituency in all districts and give first priority to population followed by geography while delineating the election constituencies.

“The Commission has given just 10 percent weightage to geography while delineating boundaries of 88 election constituencies other than 77 election constituencies that were fixed based on existing district structure,” said the member, who refused to be named. 

Officials said the commission has delineated at least an election constituency under the first-past-the-post electoral system in all 77 districts for parliamentary elections. The remaining 88 election constituencies are delineated based on the population and geography.  

The CDC is preparing to submit its report to the government by Monday. 

The constitution has a provision to limit the election constituencies under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) category to 165 from existing 240 FPTP constituencies for the House of Representatives. 

 
• geography undermined in constituency delineation