Elections in Nepal
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There are three types of elections in Nepal: elections to the federal parliament, elections to the provincial assemblies and elections to the local government. Within each of these categories, there may be by-elections as well as general elections. Currently three electoral systems are used: parallel voting for the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies, single transferable vote for the National Assembly, and first-past-the-post for local elections.
History
Rana regime
In 1947, the government of prime minister
Transition era
The Interim Administration Act of Nepal, 1952 promulgated by
Constitutional monarchy era
The constitution of 1990 had a provision for a bicameral parliament. The House of Representatives (lower house) and the National Assembly (upper house). The country was divided into 205 constituencies which would elected members to the House of Representatives for a term of five years. The National Assembly had 60 members, 35 of whom would be elected by the electoral college of the House of Representatives, 3 each from the five development regions of Nepal, 15 in total, which would be elected by an electoral college of village, municipalities and districts and 10 members appointed by the monarch. The right to franchise was also extended to everyone over the age of 18.[1]
Post Civil War
The
Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
The
Election Commission
The
The Election Commission conducts, supervises, directs and controls the elections for the
Legislative elections
Following the
Candidates for each
A party with an overall majority (more seats than all other parties combined) following an election forms the government. If no party has an outright majority by itself, parties can seek to form a coalition that is made up of a majority of members in the chamber and can pass laws.
Year | Date | Elected members | Nominated members | Constituencies |
---|---|---|---|---|
1959 general election | 18 February 1959 | 109 | 0 | 109 |
1971 general election | 1971 | 109 | 16 | 109 |
1981 general election | 9 May 1981 | 112 | 28 | 112 |
1986 general election | 12 May 1986 | 112 | 28 | 112 |
1991 general election | 12 May 1991 | 205 | 0 | 205 |
1994 general election | 15 November 1994 | 205 | 0 | 205 |
1999 general election | 3 & 17 May 1999 | 205 | 0 | 205 |
2008 Constituent Assembly election | 10 April 2008 | 575 | 26 | 240 |
2013 Constituent Assembly election | 19 November 2013 | 575 | 26 | 240 |
2017 general election | 26 November and 7 December 2017 | 275 | 0 | 165 |
2022 general election | 20 November 2022 | 275 | 0 | 165 |
By-elections
Source:[8]
|
|
National assembly elections
According to Article 86 of the Constitution of Nepal 2015, the members of the National Assembly are elected every six years through an electoral college. In addition to this, one-third of the members are retired every two years for six years by drawing a lottery.[10]
The electoral college consists of members of the provincial assembly and Chairperson/Mayor and Vice Chairperson/Deputy Mayor of the local bodies within the state. Each provincial assembly members vote has a weight of forty eight whereas each Chairperson/Mayor/Vice Chairperson/Deputy Mayor vote has a weight of eighteen. The electoral college elects 56 members to the National Assembly and three members, including one woman, are nominated by the president on the recommendation of the Government of Nepal.[10]
Year | Date | Elected members | Nominated members |
---|---|---|---|
1959 Senate election | 10 July 1959 | 18 | 18 |
1991 National Assembly election | 26 June 1991 | 50 | 10 |
1993 National Assembly election | 27 June 1993 | 17 | 3 |
1995 National Assembly election | 13 November 1995 | 16 | 4 |
1997 National Assembly election | 27 June 1997 | 17 | 3 |
1999 National Assembly election | 10 July 1999 | 17 | 3 |
2001 National Assembly election | 27 June 2001 | 16 | 3 |
2018 National Assembly election | 7 February 2018[11] | 56 | 3 |
2020 National Assembly election | 23 January 2020 | 18 | 1 |
2022 National Assembly election | 26 January 2022 | 19 | 1 |
2024 National Assembly election | 25 January 2024 | 19 | 1 |
Provincial assembly elections
Following the
Candidates for each
A party with an overall majority (more seats than all other parties combined) following an election forms the government. If a party has no outright majority, parties can seek to form coalitions.
The first provincial assembly elections in Nepal were held on 26 November and 7 December 2017.
Year | Date | Elected members | Nominated members | Constituencies |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 provincial elections | 26 November and 7 December 2017 | 550 | 0 | 330 |
2022 provincial elections | 20 November 2022 | 550 | 0 | 330 |
By-election
- 2019 by-elections, 30 November 2019[13]
- Bajhang 1 (A), Sudurpashchim, 27 April 2024[14]
Local elections
Elections are held for the municipal executive and municipal assemblies in
Year[8] | Date |
---|---|
1983 local panchayat elections | |
1987 local panchayat elections | |
1992 local elections | 28 and 31 May 1992 |
1997 local elections | 17 and 26 May 1997 |
2006 municipal elections | 8 February 2006 |
2017 local elections | 14 May, 28 June and 18 September 2017 |
2022 local elections | 13 May 2022 |
Referendums
There has been one referendum held in Nepal, The 1980 governmental system referendum of 2 May 1980.
See also
- Electoral calendar
- Electoral system
- Electoral roll
- Election commission
References
- ^ a b c d "निर्वाचन स्मारिका -२०७६" (PDF). Election Commission of Nepal.
- ISBN 978-9937-0-2116-6.
- ^ Lokhandwala, Zainab (5 January 2014). "Nepal: The Long Road Ahead - Fair Observer". Fair Observer. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ^ "Election to the Members of Constituent Assembly Act, 2064 (2007)". Nepal Law Commission. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ^ Article 245, Section 24 of the Constitution of Nepal (20 September 2015)
- ^ Article 246, Section 24 of the Constitution of Nepal (20 September 2015)
- ^ a b Article 84, Section 8 of the Constitution of Nepal (20 September 2015)
- ^ a b "Welcome to Election Commission of Nepal". 12 November 2013. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ "CA by-elections conclude peacefully". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ a b Article 86, Section 8 of the Constitution of Nepal (20 September 2015)
- ^ "National Assembly election begins in Nepal - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ a b Article 176, Section 14 of the Constitution of Nepal (20 September 2015)
- ^ "By-elections 2019: The Final Results". The Himalayan Times. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ "मतगणना प्रगतिको विवरण". result.election.gov.np. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ Article 215-216, Section 17 of the Constitution of Nepal (20 September 2015)
- ^ Article 222-223, Section 18 of the Constitution of Nepal (20 September 2015)