Federal Parliament Secretariat Prepares for Oath Ceremony of Newly Elected House of Representatives Members

The Federal Parliament Secretariat is preparing for the oath-taking ceremony management of the newly elected members of the House of Representatives. In this context, the Secretariat has already called upon the elected members to participate in the oath ceremony through a notice on Chaitra 5.

The oath ceremony is scheduled for Chaitra 12 at 2 PM. The Secretariat requests attendance in formal or culturally identifiable attire two hours before the scheduled time.

The eldest member of the House of Representatives, 78-year-old Arjun Narsingh KC, will take the oath before President Ramchandra Paudel at the Shital Niwas Presidential Palace on Chaitra 11. Subsequently, on Chaitra 12, the eldest member KC will administer the oath to the elected members of the House of Representatives.

Article 88 of the Constitution of Nepal states that 'A member of either House of the Federal Parliament shall take an oath or affirmation in the manner prescribed by federal law before taking part for the first time in a meeting of either House or any of its committees.'

Article 91 (5) of the Constitution stipulates that in the event that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives are not elected or both positions are vacant, the meeting of the House of Representatives shall be presided over by the eldest member present based on age. Following the oath ceremony, the newly elected members will be provided with materials including the emblem (logo) of the House of Representatives member, the Constitution, Parliament regulations, and a compilation of facilities and services for the officials and members of the Federal Parliament.

Secretariat Spokesperson Ekram Giri informed that the Secretariat is engaged in the necessary management for the oath-taking of the newly elected members. He stated, "Preparations are underway to hold the oath-taking ceremony for the members and the initial meetings of the session in the multipurpose hall of the under-construction Federal Parliament Building at Singha Durbar."

The physical infrastructure construction work inside the hall has been completed, and some technical work is in the final stage. Spokesperson Giri clarified that management work is being carried out from various aspects, including security.

The constitutional provision is that the Parliament session is summoned by the President upon the recommendation of the government. The Secretariat has stated that it will begin preparations for the parliamentary session after the session is summoned.

With the change in political parties and the number of members represented in the Parliament following the election, the Secretariat has also managed the parliamentary party offices accordingly. "The parliamentary party offices within the Secretariat have been managed according to the party's 'strength'," said Spokesperson Giri.

In the election held on Falgun 21, Rastriya Swatantra Party elected 182 members, Nepali Congress 38, CPN (UML) 25, CPN (Maoist Centre) 17, Shram Sanskriti Party 7, Rastriya Prajatantra Party 5, and one independent member was elected.

Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) have been accommodated in their previous parliamentary party offices. The office previously used by the CPN (Maoist Centre) in Secretariat Building No. 2 has been arranged for the Rastriya Swatantra Party. "That is a short-term arrangement; the party offices will be located inside the under-construction Parliament Building once it is completed," said Spokesperson Giri. Separate chambers have also been arranged for all members in the new Parliament building.