KATHMANDU, July 10: The government has registered a bill in the National Assembly to amend the Constitutional Council Act. The amendment bill does not require a majority in the Constitutional Council (CC) while appointing someone to a constitutional body.
In the amended bill, a provision has been made to take a decision regarding appointments by just two members of the Constitutional Council, apart from its chairman.
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According to the existing law, the council has six members. There is a provision to try to reach a consensus among the members while making any decision and if that attempt fails, the decision will be taken by the majority of the members participating in the meeting. Also, if at least four members including the chairperson of the council are present, the quorum is considered.
Similarly, The Council is chaired by the Prime Minister and the other members are the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chief Justice, leader of the Main Opposition and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
According to the bill brought for amendment, the meeting can be held if 50 percent of the total members are present. This means that only 3 out of the total members can be present and the quorum is considered to be met. Meanwhile, apart from the chairperson, 50 percent reinstated members will not be able to make any decision.
The amendment bill stipulates that if there is no consensus among all the members including in the meeting, the decision can be taken by the chairperson and at least fifty percent of the members who are in the office immediately.
