Kathmandu, May 31

The National Assembly has passed the House of Representatives Members Election (First Amendment) Bill, 2083.

The bill, which was received from the House of Representatives with a message, was unanimously endorsed during Sunday’s meeting of the National Assembly.

Several lawmakers had registered amendment proposals seeking to make provisions related to inclusiveness and representation clearer and more effective. However, all three amendment proposals submitted to the bill were later withdrawn.

Responding to concerns raised during deliberations on the bill, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Sobita Gautam, speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Balen Shah, expressed the government’s commitment to addressing the proposed amendments related to inclusive representation during the process of amending election laws.

“The government has taken the positive aspects raised in the amendments positively from a technical perspective. The bill has been introduced based on the data of the 2021 national census, and the content of those statistics cannot be altered. It is positive that the bill seeks to ensure representation of Madhesi Dalits, marginalised citizens and persons with disabilities,” she said.

Minister Gautam maintained that the spirit of ensuring representation of Madhesi Dalits, backward communities and persons with disabilities has already been incorporated into the core provisions of the bill.

She said that while the wording may have presented some drafting challenges, the government is currently preparing a separate bill to amend and consolidate election-related laws. She urged lawmakers to submit their proposed amendments during that process, assuring that the government is committed to considering and incorporating them.