Kathmandu, July 20: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that proportional representation should be ensured within the direct election system.
He said so while accepting a memorandum submitted by a team including Bhakta Bishwakarma, Chairman of the Nepal Voter Rights Forum, at his residence in Budhanilkantha today, regarding amendments to the draft of the ‘Bill to Amend and Consolidate Laws Related to Elections’. President Deuba opined that proportional representation is necessary within direct elections because it directly connects with the people.
“I will consult with my party and other political parties regarding the amendments to the election bill,” said former Prime Minister Deuba. “The direct election system is the main basis for reaching to the people, and proportional participation is also needed within direct elections.”
In a 21-point memorandum submitted by Bishwakarma, it was emphasized that in order to address the inclusion of women and inter-community inclusion within women, at least 50 percent of candidates should be women based on the population in the direct election system of the House of Representatives and the Provincial Assembly.
The proposal to replace Dalit women with minority women deprives Dalit women of their right to political participation, and that amendment should be removed immediately.
They demand that in the First Past the Post-election system, 50 percent of constituencies should be reserved for women and 13 percent for Dalits through a rotational system of allocating constituencies for women and Dalits.”
