Nepal Election Commission Proposes Comprehensive Reforms for Political Parties
The Election Commission of Nepal has initiated the drafting of a new law aimed at significantly reforming political parties. This move comes in response to the increasing disorder and authoritarian practices within political parties, which have negatively impacted the political landscape. The commission is currently engaging with relevant stakeholders to discuss and finalize the draft of the law, which will enforce stricter regulations from the very registration of political parties.
Weakness in Political Parties
The chief election commissioner, Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, explained that the current provisions in the Political Party Act have weakened political parties, and in turn, this has disrupted the overall political system. He stated that the law’s revision is essential to strengthen the parties and ensure they function democratically and effectively.
The Election Commission has formed separate committees under the leadership of Election Commissioners Ram Prasad Bhandari and Secretary Bharat Mani Subedi to work on the bill. Subedi’s committee has already prepared a draft of the bill, and now the commission is gathering feedback from various parties involved.
Key Proposals in the Draft Law
- Primary Elections for Selecting Candidates: The draft proposes that political parties conduct primary elections to select candidates. Currently, party leadership has the authority to distribute election tickets, often leading to nepotism and the dominance of party elites. This has prevented capable, honest individuals from advancing in politics. By introducing primary elections, parties would be required to select candidates directly from their membership, thus promoting transparency and reducing internal divisions.
- Financial Transparency: One of the major issues facing political parties in Nepal is the lack of a clear, legal financial source and proper transparency in their income and expenditures. The draft law proposes that parties submit quarterly reports detailing their income sources and expenditures, which will be audited by official bodies. This aims to curb corruption and promote financial transparency within the parties.
- State Funding for Political Parties: In an effort to combat the influence of money in politics, the draft law also includes provisions for state funding to support political parties. Parties would be classified based on criteria such as the number of candidates, votes received, and the number of seats won, and national parties would receive financial support from the government. This proposal is inspired by the practices in many European countries, where the state funds political parties to maintain a level playing field.
- Candidate Registration and Party Organization: To address issues with party fragmentation and unregulated registration, the draft law proposes stricter criteria for party registration. For example, political parties would need to demonstrate a broad geographical representation and social diversity in their membership to be recognized as a national party.
- Party Structure and Leadership: The law will also standardize party constitutions to ensure that every party follows a uniform structure. The Election Commission will approve all party constitutions, making it easier to regulate their activities. Moreover, it will be mandatory for political parties to ensure at least 33% female representation in their central committee and leadership positions.
- Disciplinary Actions within Parties: The draft law introduces provisions for internal party discipline, giving the Election Commission the authority to intervene if a party violates any of the provisions. In the case of disputes regarding leadership, the Election Commission will ensure that decisions are made in a fair and legal manner.
- Accountability for Election Manifestos: Political parties often make promises in their election manifestos but fail to deliver them once elected. The new law proposes that parties must submit an annual report to the Election Commission detailing the progress made on their manifesto promises. This will ensure that parties remain accountable to the public.
- Fostering Party Unity: The law also seeks to reduce the trend of ad hoc coalitions and the misuse of party symbols. It proposes that no candidate should be allowed to contest elections under another party’s symbol. This provision aims to ensure that parties are held accountable for their ideologies and that candidates remain loyal to the parties they represent.
- Stricter Regulations on Political Party Membership: To prevent the manipulation of party membership for personal gain, the draft law will introduce rules that ensure the membership process is transparent. For example, political parties will be required to submit a list of members with a minimum of 33% women for registration.
Conclusion
The Election Commission’s proposed reforms are aimed at creating a more transparent, democratic, and accountable political system in Nepal. By addressing issues such as financial transparency, candidate selection, and internal party discipline, the draft law seeks to strengthen political parties, reduce corruption, and ensure that they serve the people more effectively. The law is expected to be finalized and made public within a month, and its successful implementation could bring significant improvements to Nepal’s political landscape.