National Assembly (Nepal)
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| National Assembly (Nepal) | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Assembly |
| Native name | राष्ट्रिय सभा |
| Legislature | Federal Parliament of Nepal |
| House type | Upper house |
| Established | 2018 (reconstituted) |
| Members | 59 |
| Leader type | Chairman |
| Leader | Ganesh Prasad Timilsina |
| Party | CPN (UML) |
| Election1 | 2018 |
| Meeting place | Rastrapati Bhawan, Kathmandu |
National Assembly (Nepal) The National Assembly is the upper chamber of the Federal Parliament of Nepal and forms one of the two houses alongside the House of Representatives. It functions within the constitutional framework established by the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 and interfaces with provincial bodies such as the Province No. 1 legislature, Bagmati Province assembly, and institutions including the Election Commission of Nepal. The Assembly interacts with offices like the President of Nepal, the Prime Minister of Nepal, and the Supreme Court of Nepal.
History
The precursor to the contemporary Assembly includes bodies shaped by events like the Rana dynasty era reforms, the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007, and the transition after the Nepalese Civil War and the 2006 Loktantra Andolan. Constitutional developments in 2015 Constitution of Nepal replaced earlier arrangements from the 1990 Constitution of Nepal and the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007 to create the current bicameral design comparable to chambers in systems such as the Rajya Sabha of India, the Senate (Pakistan), and the House of Lords in the United Kingdom. Key political actors in its evolution include the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), and figures like Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Composition and Membership
The Assembly comprises 59 members drawn from provinces including Koshi Province, Madhesh Province, Gandaki Province, Lumbini Province, Karnali Province, and Sudurpashchim Province, as well as nominees of the President of Nepal. Parties represented include the Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), CPN (Maoist Centre), and regional parties such as the Rastriya Prajatantra Party. Members reflect categories recognized by the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 like women, indigenous groups such as the Tharu people, Dalit representatives including advocates from Dalit community organizations, and experts from academia like scholars associated with Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University. The Assembly structure mirrors upper houses worldwide including the Canadian Senate and Australian Senate in its mix of elected and appointed members.
Powers and Functions
The Assembly exercises functions described in the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 including legislative review akin to the Rajya Sabha and advisory roles similar to the Senate of France. It participates in passage of bills with the House of Representatives, debates motions referencing the President of Nepal, and engages with ministries such as the Ministry of Finance (Nepal) and the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. The Assembly has specific roles during national emergencies declared under provisions analogous to provisions used in other constitutions such as the Indian Constitution and interacts with oversight institutions like the Office of the Auditor General and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority. It can summon officials including the Chief Justice of Nepal and holders of offices like the Attorney General of Nepal for inquiry.
Electoral System and Term
Members are elected through an electoral college consisting of members of Provincial Assembly of Nepal and chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of local bodies such as Municipalities of Nepal and Rural municipalities of Nepal; this system bears resemblance to indirect elections used for the Rajya Sabha and the Senate (Italy). Terms are staggered with one-third retiring every two years similar to rotation practices in bodies like the United States Senate and the Rajya Sabha. The Election Commission of Nepal administers the polls, and the President of Nepal appoints a subset of members on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers comparable to appointments to the Canadian Senate by the Governor General of Canada.
Leadership and Committees
The Assembly elects a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman, roles comparable to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the President of the Senate (Pakistan), with incumbent leadership including figures from parties such as the CPN (UML) and the Nepali Congress. Committees mirror Westminster-style scrutiny through panels equivalent to the Public Accounts Committee and subject committees addressing sectors overseen by ministries like the Ministry of Home Affairs (Nepal), the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (Nepal), and the Ministry of Health and Population (Nepal). Standing and ad hoc committees call witnesses from institutions like the Nepal Rastra Bank and the Nepal Police for accountability.
Procedure and Sessions
Sessions are convened in accordance with constitutional provisions involving summoning by the President of Nepal on advice of the Prime Minister of Nepal and follow rules of procedure similar to practices in the Rajya Sabha and Senate of Australia. Legislative business includes introduction of bills by ministers from cabinets led by leaders such as K. P. Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba, question hour sessions with ministers, and motions of scrutiny referencing reports from agencies like the National Human Rights Commission (Nepal). Proceedings can include joint sessions with the House of Representatives for special matters resembling joint sittings in bicameral systems like India.
Role in Nepalese Federal System
Within Nepal’s federal arrangement, the Assembly acts as a territorial chamber representing provinces such as Province No. 1 and Gandaki Province and interacts with provincial governments led by chief ministers like those from Koshi Province and Lumbini Province. It contributes to intergovernmental coordination alongside institutions like the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (Nepal) and the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Nepal on disputes about federal-provincial powers similar to mechanisms in federations like Canada and Australia. The Assembly’s composition and functions shape federal balance alongside actors including the President of Nepal, the Prime Minister of Nepal, and provincial assemblies.