President of Nepal

President of Nepal
Post	President
Body	Nepal
Seat	Kathmandu
Appointer	Electoral College
Termlength	Five-year term
Formation	2007

President of Nepal The President of Nepal is the ceremonial head of state of Nepal, acting as the formal representative in relations with India, China, United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, and other foreign relations partners. Established after the abolition of the King of Nepal and the Nepalese monarchy during the Nepalese Civil War and the 2006 Loktantra Andolan, the office is defined by the Constitution of Nepal and interacts with the Federal Parliament of Nepal, the Prime Minister of Nepal, the Council of Ministers (Nepal), and the Supreme Court of Nepal.

History

The office emerged from transitional arrangements following the Comprehensive Peace Accord (2006) between the Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), replacing the Monarchy of Nepal symbolized by the Shah dynasty and the Gurkha legacy. Constitutional milestones include the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007, the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal (2015), and political negotiations involving parties such as the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and regional actors like the Madhesi parties. International actors including India–Nepal relations, China–Nepal relations, United Nations Mission in Nepal, and donor states influenced the transition alongside landmark events such as the 2008 Nepalese Constituent Assembly election and the declaration of Nepal as a Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

Role and Powers

Under the Constitution of Nepal (2015), the office performs functions defined with checks involving the Federal Parliament of Nepal, the Prime Minister of Nepal, the Council of Ministers (Nepal), and the Supreme Court of Nepal. Powers include appointing the Prime Minister of Nepal in line with parliamentary majorities, summoning and proroguing sessions of the Federal Parliament of Nepal, and issuing,[subject to constitutional provisions] promulgating ordinances under extraordinary circumstances informed by the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court. The President represents Nepal at state visits accredited by foreign heads such as the President of India, the President of China, the President of the United States, and international forums including the United Nations General Assembly, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.

Election and Term

The incumbent is chosen by an Electoral College comprising members of the Federal Parliament of Nepal and the Provincial Assemblies of Nepal. The process reflects party negotiations among entities like the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), and regional blocs represented by Rastriya Janamorcha and Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Nepal. Eligibility, nomination procedures, and voting are prescribed by the Constitution of Nepal (2015). The Five-year term may be renewed once, subject to provisions on resignation, incapacity, and impeachment involving the Parliamentary Committee and the Supreme Court of Nepal.

Title, Insignia and Residence

The official title derives from the Constitution of Nepal (2015), and ceremonial insignia include the Emblem of Nepal, protocols derived from the Shah dynasty era, and state decorations such as the Nepal Ratna Premi and other national orders. The official seat and residence are in Kathmandu, with state functions held at venues like the Singha Durbar and the Rashtrapati Bhavan-style state house; state ceremonies are conducted with participation from institutions including the Armed Police Force Nepal, the Nepal Army, and the Nepal Police.

List of Presidents

Notable holders include figures connected to major parties and movements: leaders from the Nepali Congress such as Ram Baran Yadav, representatives of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) and Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) like Bidhya Devi Bhandari, and consensus figures emerging after the 2008 Nepalese Constituent Assembly election and the 2013 Nepalese Constituent Assembly election. The office’s occupants have been involved in political episodes including negotiations over federalism, provincial demarcation, and constitutional amendment discussions led by entities such as the National Assembly (Nepal), the House of Representatives (Nepal), and civil society groups like Nepal Bar Association and Federation of Nepalese Journalists.

Duties and Ceremonial Functions

Ceremonial duties encompass receiving credentials of foreign envoys such as ambassadors from India, China, and Japan, conferring national awards including the Nepal Ratna, inaugurating sessions of the Federal Parliament of Nepal, hosting state visits for foreign leaders from India–Nepal relations and China–Nepal relations, and presiding over national commemorations of events like the 2006 Loktantra Andolan and Republic Day (Nepal). The role interacts with cultural institutions such as the Royal Nepal Academy and humanitarian organizations including the Nepal Red Cross Society.

Succession and Removal

Succession provisions involve the Vice President of Nepal acting as interim head pending election procedures under the Constitution of Nepal (2015). Removal mechanisms include impeachment initiated in the Federal Parliament of Nepal with adjudication related to the Supreme Court of Nepal and procedures for resignation or incapacity consistent with precedents involving party negotiations among the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), and coalition partners. Political crises have invoked interactions with institutions such as the Election Commission, Nepal and the Office of the Attorney General of Nepal.

Category:Politics of Nepal