Directly elected executive head, rights of Dalits and women, citizenship, religion, electoral provisions for local bodies, demarcation of federal units, and judiciary have been considered prominent issues that need to be addressed while finalising the constitution draft.

Parties picked these agendas on the basis of the report prepared by the Committee on Citizen Relations and Public Opinion Collection, which has been tasked with collecting feedback on the charter draft. The committee submitted its report to Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Nembang on Monday evening.

A meeting of three major parties on Sunday reached an understanding to discuss the report both in the CA and at the political level simultaneously. The CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoist) are of the view that the constitution should adopt directly elected executive head as demanded during the public consultation process. The Nepali Congress, however, argues that there is no alternative to the parliamentary system.

On religion, parties agree in principle that secularism should be replaced by other words or phrases though they are yet to decide one acceptable to all.

There are no fundamental differences between the parties over including more rights of Dalits and women.

On citizenship, discussions are progressing towards replacing “father and mother” by “father or mother” in Article 12(a) of the draft constitution. A large number of people demand direct election of the Village Development Committee chairperson and the ward chiefs. The constitution draft proposes nomination of these representatives.

A large volume of suggestions are for delineation of federal units before the constitution is promulgated. On judiciary, there are calls for reappointment of the chief justice when the new constitution comes into force. “There will be substantial discussions among the parties on how to incorporate these issues in the constitution,” said Maoist Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

The Constituent Assembly will on Tuesday discuss the report submitted by the Public Opinion Collection Committee. The committee has prepared a report incorporating suggestions provided by the people in interactions with CA members and via the internet, toll free number, fax and direct mail.

After the deliberation, the report will be handed over to the Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee for incorporating the feedback. The PDCC report will then be forwarded to the Drafting Committee for preparing the Constitution Bill.

Disgruntled parties invited for talks

Four major parties have decided to hold talks with the political parties and forces in the Constituent Assembly and outside to listen to their grievances as they plan to promulgate the new constitution by August 16.

As decided by a meeting on Monday, the parties will meet the leaders of four Madhes-based parties on Tuesday at the prime minister’s residence to discuss their demand for the delineation of provinces before statute promulgation. Major party leaders said they will also listen to the grievances of the Madhesi leaders on the provisions of citizenship and inclusiveness.

A large section of regional parties and some leaders from the parties agreeing to an early promulgation of the constitution have rejected the constitution draft. There have also been protests against the proposed provisions in the Tarai.

Chairmen of four Madhes-based parties have been invited for the talks, said CPN-UML leader Jhala Nath Khanal. He said the discussions would continue alongside the constitution drafting process.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has conveyed to Madhesi leaders that he was ready to address the issue of citizenship and to discuss the delineation and names of the provinces. Ruling parties have urged the regional parties to halt all the protests announced for Tuesday.

The parties will also talk to the CPN-Maoist led by Mohan Baidya and the Netra Bikarm Chand-led CPN Maoist that are outside the CA. (PR)

‘Statute drafting will go unhindered’

UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the constitution drafting process will go unhindered even though there are differences among the parties on some issues.

Though his party was in favour of immediate delineation of states and directly elected President as the executive head, Dahal said his party would not obstruct the ongoing process. Receiving a memorandum from the Reporter’s Club on Monday, the Maoist leader said a new constitution is the need of the hour even if all their demands are not addressed. “We want the issues resolved but not by obstructing the CA process,” he said. (PR)