South Asians for Human Rights

Promoting Democracy, Upholding Human Rights

Welcoming the new constitution, a group of youth lighting candles at Maitighar Mandala as the Constituent Assembly endorsed all the articles of draft constitution on Wednesday evening, September 16, 2015. Photo: RSS
Welcoming the new constitution, a group of youth lighting candles at Maitighar Mandala as the Constituent Assembly endorsed all the articles of draft constitution on Wednesday evening, September 16, 2015. Photo: RSS

The Constituent Assembly on Wednesday evening endorsed the Revised Bill on Nepal’s Constitution with an overwhelming two-thirds majority.

Now, the Bill will become Nepal’s new charter once the lawmakers sign and the CA Chairperson authenticates it.

In the CA meeting, scheduled for 5 pm on Sunday, September 20, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav will announce the promulgation of new constitution through the sovereign body elected by the people.

When put to split voting after the endorsement of individual articles and schedules, the entire Revised Bill garnered support from 507, out of 598 lawmakers.

As many as 25 CA members, however, cast their vote against the Bill.

Altogether 532 members cast their votes ,while 65 others did not take part in the voting process.

Since he would vote only in decisive cases, CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang did not have to take part in the voting.

The lawmakers from Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, UCPN-Maoist and some fringe parties supported the draft constitution, while those from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal voted against it.

Most of the Madhes-based parties boycotted the voting process.

After announcing that the CA endorsed the draft constitution, CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang has asked the lawmakers to sign on the dossier at the CA building from 9 am 3 pm on Friday.

Meanwhile, the CA formed a four-member panel to recommend consequential improvements, if any, on the new constitution as per the Rule 109 of the Constituent Assembly Rules.

CA members vote on draft constitution on September 16

The panel includes Krishna Prasad Sitaula in the capacity of Constitution Drafting Committee Chairman, the chief whips of CPN-UML and UCPN-Maoist, Agni Prasad Kharel and Giriraj Mani Pokharel respectively, and Kunti Kumari Shahi of Rastriya Pratantra Party-Nepal.

CPN-UML leaders taking part in the Constituent Assembly on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. Photo: RSS

Lawmakers raising their hand to support a proposal at the CA meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. Photo: RSS

Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang announces endorsement of an article of the constitution, at the CA meeting, in Kathmandu, on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. Photo: RSS

Top leader of UCPN-Maoist and Nepali Congress, including Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, taking part in Constituent Assembly meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. Photo: RSS

Lawmakers at CA meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. Photo: RSS

http://thehimalayantimes.com Updated On: September 16, 2015