Kathmandu, Dec 15

President Vidyadevi Bhandari issued an ordinance on the Constitutional Council on Tuesday afternoon.

Due to the absence of Speaker Agni Sapkota in the council meeting called for 9 am today, government failed to organize the meeting further. Therefore, President Bhandari issued the Constitutional Council (Work, Duties, Rights and Procedure) Ordinance (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2077 BS on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.

Earlier, there was a legal provision that a meeting of the Constitutional Council could be held only when four members other than the chairperson were present.

Modifying this provision the ordinance stipulates that the majority of the members, including the chairperson, should be present.

The ordinance has already been published in Nepal Gazette (Nepal Rajpattra). Moreover, if there is the presence of the Prime Minister with two other members, there will be no legal impairment to meet and make the decision.

Therefore, the meeting can be held even in the absence of Speaker Sapkota and Leader of the Main Opposition party Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Now, there is a vacancy in Deputy Speaker’s position. There should be six- council members including the chairperson according to the constitutional provision. Currently, there are 5 members in the council.

Now according to the new amendment, majority is accepted if there are people, including the chairperson, are present.

The meeting Constitutional Council is underway this evening. It is for sure Deuba will also be absent from the meeting since the ordinance is issued.

Ordinance: