Kathmandu: The first session of the House of Representatives (HoR) following the March 5 election commenced today, marking a significant step in the political calendar. The session is being held in the multipurpose hall of the under-construction Federal Parliament Building at Singha Durbar.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the session is attended by key political figures including Prime Minister Balendra Shah, members of the Council of Ministers, former Prime Minister and Nepali Communist Party (NCP) coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Rabi Lamichhane. Other notable attendees include Shram Sanskriti Party Chair Harka Raj Rai and senior leaders from the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML), as well as newly elected lawmakers.
Previously, President Ramchandra Paudel had summoned a session of both houses of the Federal Parliament for 2:00 pm today. The 275-member HoR is composed of 182 members from the RSP, 38 from the Nepali Congress, 25 from the CPN (UML), 17 from the NCP, seven from the Shram Sanskriti Party, five from the Rastriya Prajatanta Party, and one independent member.
Three ordinances are anticipated to be presented during the session. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung is expected to table the ‘Voter List (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2082 BS,’ the ‘House of Representatives Members Election (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2082 BS,’ and the ‘Nepal Special Service (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2082 BS.’
Senior-most member by age, Arjun Narasingh KC, will read out letters regarding the summoning of the parliamentary session by the President, as well as a letter from the Office of the President concerning the appointment of the Prime Minister and the formation of the Council of Ministers.
Federal Parliament Secretary General Padma Prasad Pandey mentioned that the session Chair will propose conducting HoR proceedings until formal rules are framed in accordance with Article 104, seeking approval from the House. Additionally, Chair KC will nominate members to chair meetings in his absence.
The agenda of the meeting also includes lawmakers expressing their views along party lines. Furthermore, the senior-most member presiding over the session will fix the date for the election of the Speaker of the HoR, in accordance with Rule 7 of the HoR Regulations, 2079 BS.