Draft House rule easing charter amendment decried as unconstitutional
Summary
Draft regulations proposing that constitutional amendments be approved by a combined two-thirds majority of both parliamentary houses have sparked controversy in Nepal for allegedly contradicting constitutional requirements for separate approvals.
Key Points
- A draft regulation proposes forwarding constitutional amendment bills to the President if supported by a combined two-thirds majority of both houses together.
- Experts argue Nepal's constitution requires separate two-thirds majorities in both the House of Representatives and National Assembly for amendments.
- Opposition lawmakers and constitutional experts criticize the draft for being unconstitutional and undermining the role of the National Assembly.
- The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party lacks two-thirds majority in both houses, prompting debate over parliamentary arithmetic and amendment procedures.
