Parties agree to hold CA polls within 2064 B.S; CA seats increased to 601

The seven parties have finally arrived at a consensus on the voting system for constituent assembly (CA) election and the issue of republic.

A meeting of the top leaders put final stamp of approval to the draft of political agreement prepared by a seven-party taskforce Saturday evening.

Leaders said the parties have agreed to hold constituent assembly election within 2064 B.S (March-April). The election timeline will be stated in the interim constitution while the date will soon be fixed by the government.

As per the agreement, CA seats elected under proportional system have been increased to 335, fixing the total number of seats at 601. The number of seats elected under first-past-the-pole will be 240 while the number of CA members to be nominated by the Prime Minister has been increased to 26 from 17.

The parties have also agreed to amend the interim constitution, incorporating ‘democratic republic’, a provision to be endorsed by the first sitting of the CA.

Parties have also agreed to iron out the differences over the Maoist demand for cabinet reshuffle through talks.

The taskforce of the central leaders of the seven parties came up with the draft of agreement following a marathon meeting.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers that is underway in Balutwar will pass the draft of political agreement before presenting it to the parliament secretariat, seeking an amendment in the interim statute.