National Janamorcha Proposes Reserved Constituencies for Women and Dalits in Direct Elections

Kathmandu. National Janamorcha has put forward a proposal to determine separate 'reserved constituencies' for women and Dalit communities in the direct election system in the process of constitutional amendment. Party General Secretary Manoj Bhatta presented a concept paper and made this demand at a program organized by All Nepal Women's Association and Dalit Samata Samaj on Sunday. 

The concept paper presented by General Secretary Bhatta mentions that while maintaining the current mixed election system, specific constituencies in direct elections should be reserved only for women and Dalits. It is claimed that such a system will create an environment for women and Dalits to compete within their own groups and ensure their effective presence at the policy-making level. 

Janamorcha has put forward the concept of a 'joint electoral college' where only individuals from the respective communities can become candidates in such reserved constituencies, but all citizens can vote. The party has concluded that the current proportional system alone cannot develop real leadership and that women and Dalits have fallen behind due to the extremely expensive direct elections.

Citing examples of countries like India, New Zealand, and Rwanda, Janamorcha has suggested that such constituencies should be rotated in Nepal based on a cyclical system (rotation). 

Targeting the 'Constitutional Amendment Debate Paper Preparation Task Force' formed by the government, Janamorcha stated that this proposal is mandatory to correct the weaknesses in the constitution and ensure the rights of oppressed communities. 

Speaking at the program, General Secretary Bhatta emphasized the need for legal and constitutional guarantees to end the distortions seen in the current parliamentary system and to politically empower women and Dalits.