6 May Kathmandu Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called a meeting of the Constitutional Council for Thursday evening, the first meeting to be chaired by him since he took office earlier this year. The meeting is expected to focus on a number of key constitutional appointments including the appointment of a new Chief Justice.
The meeting is taking place at a politically sensitive time following a recent controversy over the government’s ordinance on the Constitutional Council.
⚖️ Focus on Chief Justice Nomination
The appointment of a permanent Chief Justice for the Supreme Court is likely to be on the top of the agenda.
The post had become vacant after the retirement of then Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut on March 31. The most senior-most justice, Sapana Pradhan Malla, is currently acting as Chief Justice.
The council may also discuss appointments to several other constitutional bodies where posts remain vacant, they said.
🏛️ Constitutional Council under fire
The Constitutional Council has a major say in appointments to important state institutions, such as:
- Chief Justice.
- Electoral Commission
Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA)
- Other constitutional authorities
The council is chaired by the Prime Minister and comprises:
- Chief Justice.
- House Speaker
- Deputy Speaker
- Speaker of the National Assembly
- Leader of Opposition
⚠️ New Ordinance Causes Controversy
The meeting comes after the government’s recent ordinance to amend the procedures of the Constitutional Council.
The new provision is said to allow decisions to be taken if at least three of the six council members agree and has sparked political and constitutional debate.
The ordinance earlier sent back by President Ramchandra Paudel for reconsideration citing concerns, has been sent to the parliament. But the government sent it back to him as it was, and the President approved it.
Critics say the provision could undermine consensus-based decision-making, while supporters say it prevents appointments from being delayed indefinitely.
📊 Political Importance
The meeting is being keenly watched as it may decide the future leadership of a number of constitutional institutions at a time when Nepal is passing through major political and administrative reforms under the Shah government.
Political analysts say decisions taken in the next few days could have an impact on:
Judicial independence
- Institutional equilibrium
- Governance reforms
📌 Abstract
Prime Minister Shah’s call to the Constitutional Council shows the government’s eagerness to move ahead with long-pending constitutional appointments.
But the meeting is also being held amid a growing debate on the new ordinance and concerns about working of constitutional bodies in a democratic set up.
Tags: Constitutional Council Nepal, Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Nepal Politics, Chief Justice Appointment
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