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Kathmandu Friday June 29, 2001 Ashadh 15, 2058.
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National Assembly nominations
The present constitution of Nepal has a provision regarding
the nomination of the members of the National Assembly. It states that ten members to be
nominated by His Majesty from amongst persons of high reputation must have rendered
prominent service in various fields of national life. Although the main composition of
parliament is elective, directly or indirectly, the King has the power to nominate some
members under the assumption that adequate representation of certain sections of the
society will not be possible through the competitive system of election. Those having
special knowledge or practical experience in various field of national life are to be
nominated. Doesn't this imply that those nominated persons should be of non-political and
non-partisan nature? The King as the constitutional monarch is above partisan politics.
Should his nominees need to be above politics? Secondly, as the Prime Minister has to
recommend the names of the person to be nominated by His Majesty the King, the onus of the
act solely rests on the shoulder of the Prime Minister.
As this part of nomination to the National Assembly
in our constitution is inspired solely by the provision in the Indian constitution, I
would think it is pertinent to quote the provision in the Indian Constitution. The 12
nominated members shall be chosen by the President of Indian amongst persons having
"Special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social
service." The constitution thus adopts the principle of nomination for giving
distinguished persons a place in the National Assembly.
It is found that in our 10 years of parliamentary history, there
have been a number of cases in which politicians having dubious character and who have no
other chances of entering the house have been nominated which this provision.
Daniel Gajraj
Kathmandu |
