Nepali Congress leader Rijal calls for electoral system reform

Kathmandu, February 15 — Nepali Congress leader Dr. Minendra Rijal emphasized the need for reform in Nepal's electoral system to strengthen inclusion.

Speaking at an event in Lalitpur on Saturday, Dr. Rijal argued that the electoral system should be restructured to promote greater inclusivity.

He pointed out that political stability and accountability cannot be envisioned without the majority of any party.

He referenced the 2017 elections, where despite securing 33% of the vote, Nepali Congress won only 23 seats, highlighting the flaws in the current system.

Dr. Rijal also discussed the results of the 2022 elections, where, even with a lower percentage of votes, the party had won more seats through a coalition, stressing the impact of alliances on electoral outcomes.

He further argued that no party has garnered more than 38% of the vote since 1959, and this shouldn’t be an excuse to justify political instability.

Dr. Rijal advocated for allocating 60 seats under the proportional representation system out of the 165 total constituencies.

Addressing the question of stability, Dr. Rijal remarked that simply having a majority doesn't guarantee stability and that political responsibility was lacking.

He also pointed out that Nepali Congress does not support a fully direct election system, but rather believes in proportional representation to ensure fairness and inclusivity.

Dr. Rijal also criticized the revolving door of prime ministers since 2017, where three leaders from two different parties held the office in turn.

He concluded by stating that reforms in the electoral system are essential to avoid this situation in the future and to clarify who is accountable for such issues.