Only Nepali citizens eligible to form political parties and contest in elections: Verdict on Ex-Home Minister Lamichhane's citizenship case
KATHMANDU, March 7: The Constitutional Bench has clarified that only Nepali citizens are eligible to form political parties and contest in elections. The verdict was passed on former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane's citizenship case. While the Supreme Court had previously ruled that Lamichhane's citizenship was illegal and scrapped his parliamentary post, the full reading of the verdict was published on Tuesday.
According to the provisions listed in Article 84 of the Constitution of Nepal, every citizen of Nepal who is over the age of 18 has the right to vote in one election constituency as provided for in federal law. Additionally, Article 87 states that only Nepali citizens are eligible to become members of the Federal Parliament.
Furthermore, the court cited Article 291 in Lamichhane's citizenship and passport disputes, stating that Nepali citizens who hold foreign permanent residence permits are not eligible for election, nomination, or appointment to any office under the Constitution. However, a person who has renounced their foreign permanent residence permit may be elected, nominated, or appointed to such office after a three-month period.
The verdict on Lamichhane's citizenship case has made it clear that only Nepali citizens are eligible to form political parties and participate in elections, and those who hold foreign permanent residence permits are not eligible for any office under the Constitution.
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