KATHMANDU, August 3: Lawmakers have suggested incorporating a provision in the proposed Bill related to the elections to the House of Representatives that allows only women into competition under the first-past-the-post electoral system.
They opined that a competition only between women would ensure their 33 percent participation in the House while suggesting that 51 percent of the total 165 constituencies be reserved for them. They also suggested investing the Election Commission with the jurisdiction to announce election date for free and fair polls, instead of the government.
The lawmakers were putting their view on the Bill proposed by the State Affairs Committee under the Legislature-Parliament at the Committee's meeting.
Airing his view, lawmaker Shyam Kumar Shrestha recommended a provision that any change is ruled out in election's closed list after its submission in the Election Commission.
Only four women contesting under FPTP in province 7
Lawmaker Radheshyam Adhikari ruled out the relevance of the provision of right to reject or 'no votes' but it was included in the bill. Lawmaker Guru Prasad Burlakoti suggested incorporating the rights of local levels to fix polling centres as per their requirements.
Lawmaker Janakraj Joshi suggested incorporating the provision of recall to the local representatives which makes them accountable.
Similarly, lawmaker Ramhari Khatiwada opined for making House of Representatives directly elected and National Assembly proportional.
Lawmakers, Rameshwar Dhungel, TejKumari Poudel, Lal Babu Rawat, Kamala Dong, Nisha Kumari Shah, DB Nepali, Pemba Lama, Buddhiram Bhandari, Prem Suwal, Kunti Kumari Shahi, Yogendra Chaudhary and Kunti Kumari Shahi had put their suggestion on the bill.
Subcommittee meeting
The subcommittee under the committee, meeting today also held discussions on the proposed National Medical Education Bill 2073 BS.
Lawmakers, Jeevan Ram Pariyar, Dhaniram Poudel, Anandai Pal, Ramhari Subedi, Deepshikha Sharma and Shreemaya Thakali had took part in the meeting.
There are over 280 amendments on the bill. It may be noted that the senior orthopedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC is in hunger strike demanding to pass the bill soon. RSS
