KATHMANDU, June 11: The term of the lawmakers of National Assembly is set to be determined by drawing lots on June 18.

The decision was made by a meeting of the senior leaders of all major political parties represented in the parliament including the chairman of National Assembly Ganesh Timilsina on Sunday.

There are total 59 members in the National Assembly. As per the constitutional provision, one-third members of them will have a two-year term, while another one third will serve for four years. Similarly, the remaining members of the first National Assembly under the framework of new constitution will have a six-year term.

The decision was taken as the term limit of all 55 elected and three nominated members of the National Assembly has not been determined yet.Article 86 (3) of the Constitution states that "the term of office of the members of the National Assembly shall be six years. The term of office of one third members of the National Assembly will expire every two years. Provided that, for the first time, after the commencement of this constitution, arrangements shall be made by drawing lots to retire one-third of the members on the expiry of two years, another one-third on the expiry of four years, and the final one-third on the expiry of six years.

National Assembly consists of fifty six-elected members including at least three women, one Dalit and one from persons with disabilities or minorities, from each province by an electoral college composed of members of the State Assembly, chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the Village Bodies, and Mayors and Deputy-Mayors of the Municipalities, with different weight age of vote by members of the State Assembly, chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the Village Bodies, and Mayors and Deputy-Mayors of the Municipalities.

Similarly, three members consisting of at least one woman nominated by the President on recommendation of the Government of Nepal shall also be the member of the National Assembly.According to Ashok Paudel, Press Coordinator of National Assembly Chairman Timilsina, the lottery shall be conducted on the cluster-basis. Altogether 19 lawmakers will have two- year term through the lottery and 20 other lawmakers will get four-year term limit. Remaining 20 lawmakers will have six years term.

There are various clusters including women, open category, dalit and physically-challenged persons from each state and those nominated by the president at the recommendation of the cabinet. “Lottery will be held among the members of the same cluster group to determine their term in office. After the expiry of two-year term, same process during the election will be followed to fill the vacant position,” said Paudel.

 
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