Constituency re-work hits roadblock

KATHMANDU, JUL 10 -
Even as the Constituency Delimitation Commission (CDC) gets down to re-work on the constituencies for the upcoming Constituent Assembly election slated for November 19, the body is unlikely to make major changes to the existing constituencies.

While there is a demand from the Madhes-centric parties to increase constituencies in line with the population growth, constitutional provisions hinder any change—either increasing or reducing constituencies. While a provision in the constitution calls for increasing contituencies in Madhes according to percentage of population increased, another provision does not allow any reduction in the 205 constituencies. The realignment can take place only in the 35 constituencies that were added to the 25 districts following the Madhes uprising in 2007.

But there is not much scope for change, according to a CDC member. “Last time 28 constituencies were added in Madhes and seven in the hills. However, all districts except Kavre have seen the growth in population in the census 2011 which leaves little room for the commission to re-work the constituencies,” said the member. If constituencies in Madhes cannot be reduced, same applies to the hill districts where constituencies were added, the member explained, lamenting that the constitutional provision of not exceeding 240 constituencies has hindered their work.

“The 240 constituencies were set keeping in mind the census report of 2001. But as per the 2011 census, it would be difficult to adjust competing demands as we cannot exceed 240 constituencies.”

The CDC is sure to stir up controversy if it attempts to go beyond its terms of reference. Non-Madhesi parties such as the UCPN (Maoist) and the CPN-UML have already urged the commission to prepare a report in line with the constitution. “The commission should stick to its mandate and avoid courting controversy, which could hamper the scheduled election s,” said Maoist leader Hitraj Pandey.

“As per the constitution, the commission can only re-work 35 constituencies. And I believe the commission will work accordingly,” CPN-UML leader Agni Kharel hold told the CDC at a recent interaction. He had further added that since constitution mandates that the existing districts cannot be changed, nothing much can happen despite some imbalances in the population.

Analysts believe that it will require an amendment to the constitution that would allow the commission to increase the number of constituencies. “On one hand, the constitution calls for increasing the constituencies in line with population, while on the other it prohibits increasing them beyond 240,” said columnist Dipendra Jha, adding that if the CDC is to work in line with meeting competing demands then there needs to be a political consensus for amending the constitution.

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