Election Commission Suggests 105-Member House of Representatives

Kathmandu. The Election Commission has suggested making the House of Representatives a 105-member body. The commission sent a suggestion to the Constitution Amendment Task Force, formed under the convenership of Prime Minister Balen Shah's political advisor Asim Shah, that it would be appropriate to make the House of Representatives a 105-member body.

By giving written suggestions to the task force, the commission has asked to reduce the current 275-member House of Representatives. The commission also suggests that local levels can be made non-party.

In the 21-point suggestions given by the commission, it has been said that the National Assembly Chairman should be given the responsibility of the Vice President. Along with this, the commission suggests that it would be appropriate to form a cabinet of experts at the federal and provincial levels. 

The commission suggests that citizens who are 21 years of age should be eligible for election to the House of Representatives and those who have completed 30 years of age should be eligible for the National Assembly.  

Currently, the constitution has provisions that one must have completed 25 years of age for the House of Representatives and 35 years of age to become a candidate for the National Assembly. The commission has suggested arranging 77 members under direct election by considering one district as one constituency, and has suggested keeping only 28 members for proportional representation.

The existing Article 84 of the constitution has a provision for a 275-member House of Representatives, with 165 under direct election and 110 under proportional representation, while the National Assembly has 59 members. The commission also suggests removing the proportional system in the provinces.