Kathmandu: The percentage of inclusive groups in the proportional representation system for the upcoming elections will now be determined according to the latest census. This change follows the introduction of the House of Representatives Member Election (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2082. President Ramchandra Paudel issued the Ordinance on Friday, acting on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers pursuant to Article 114 (1) of the Constitution.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Government proposed an amendment to Schedule 1 of the House of Representatives Member Election Act, 2074 BS. The amendment is based on the percentage of the population of various groups, such as Dalits, Indigenous Peoples, Khas Aryas, Madhesis, Tharu, and Muslims, as reported in the 2021 population census. Previously, Schedule-1 of the Act was aligned with the National Census of 2011.
In line with this ordinance, the proportional representation (PR) system for the upcoming House of Representatives election on March 5 requires parties to submit closed lists of candidates that reflect the inclusion percentage from the latest census. Political parties opting for the PR system are required to submit their candidate lists on December 28 and 29.
The ordinance simplifies the process of determining inclusive group percentages based on the most recent census data, said Election Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai.