Nepal's transformation from Monarchy to Republic

Dec 24:  Nepal government, the seven-party Alliance on Sunday night decided to declare the country as a federal democratic republic after talks with Maoists and increase the strengthen of constituent assembly. However, the matter will be going through the process of ratification in the next assembly meeting.

The Maoists, ending a three months deadlock and the government moving away from its 240-year old monarchy stand, decided to amend the constitution that would declare the state a republic. With this the Maoists will rejoin the government in the general election scheduled to be held next year.

The Maoists who has left the government in September demanding an immediate abolition of monarchy agreed to rejoin with an extension of assembly from the present 497 to 601. The parties also agreed to abolish monarchy by passing a resolution with two-third majority if the King tries any conspiracy in the assembly.

According to the outline of the present deal, out of the proposed 601 seats of the Constituent Assembly there will be direct election for 240 seats, 335 others will fall under the proportional electoral system as per the Maoist’s demand and the remaining 26 members will be nominated by the prime minister. The seats will be allocated under the ratio of 58:42. The election for the new assembly is due, to be held in April.

Reports point the number of the deceased over 13,000 in this 10-year-long struggle between the Maoist rebels and the monarchy based administration. This further got boost in 2001 after the murder of beloved King Birendra that accelerated the people’s lost faith on monarchy.

Following large-scale people uprising at different span of time and the manner in which the whole scenario administered in terms of human rights violation and the 2005 incident of government dismissal by the king again stir-up the struggle.

The current development in the association of communist party, government and Nepal Maoists has created an environment for peace and security by fulfilling people’s purpose of democracy. In near future a fair election for a constituent assembly can only bring permanent stability in a nation that has been under chaos since long.