One and a Half Months After Election: Congress Fails to Elect Parliamentary Party Leader, Constitutional Council Stalled

Kathmandu — One and a half months have passed since the general election, yet the main opposition Nepali Congress has been unable to elect its parliamentary party leader. Consequently, the formation of the Constitutional Council has been stalled. The debate over whether appointments to various positions within the Constitutional Council should be made through consensus or majority remains unresolved.

As a direct result, the recommendation for appointing the Chief Justice, which was required by Falgun 18, has not been made. Nepal has lost the opportunity to have its second woman Chief Justice after Sushila Karki. The senior-most judge, Sapana Pradhan Malla, has been forced to serve as Acting Chief Justice from Chaitra 18 to Baisakh 13.

Furthermore, although the election on Falgun 21 was successfully conducted by a three-member commission led by Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, the Election Commission has yet to receive permanent leadership. It is understood that an ordinance addressing these issues may be recommended to the President by the Cabinet meeting scheduled for tomorrow (Monday).