PARTY SYSTEM OF NEPAL

 

INTRODUCTION

The politics of Nepal functions within the framework of a parliamentary republic with a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister and their cabinet, while legislative power is vested in the Parliament. Political parties in Nepal represent a range of ideologies, including democratic socialism, communism, and various regional and ethnic interests.

 

BACKGROUND

Politics in Nepal after 1990 can be divided broadly into three phases: construction of legal/political structures for a multiparty system; gaining of primacy by parties in politics, elections and governance; and recently, marginalisation of parties’ role in state affairs.

 

With a view to crafting a new political structure, a Jana Andolan (mass movement) took place in February–April 1990, jointly launched by the Nepali Congress (NC) and the United Left Front (ULF)—an alliance of seven moderate communist parties—and supported by the United National People’s Movement (UNPM)—a group composed of five radical communist splinter groups. The movement ended the three-decade old Panchayat system (1960–1990) and restored the multiparty system in the country.

ELECTION PROCEDURE OF NEPAL

The Constitution have provided various forms of electoral systems for the election of Local Level, State Assembly, Federal Parliament, President and VicePresident. The Constitution of Nepal has adopted the supremacy of the adult franchise and the principle of inclusive representation. The Constitution provisioned first past the post system for the election of Local Level, and the mixed electoral system of first past the post and proportional representation for the election of State Assembly and House of Representatives.

 

It is provisioned that the President, Vice-President and members of the National Assembly are to be elected through an Electoral College. At the Local Level, representatives are elected through 4 the secret ballot based on the adult franchise. The elected representatives will elect office-bearers from among themselves. To ensure the representation of particular class or community, there are provisions to elect among candidates from those class or community only.

 

Provisions of election through an Electoral College comprising of the representatives elected on the basis of adult franchise has been made for the election of the President, Vice-President and members of National Assembly and there is also a provision of nomination of members on the recommendations of the government for the National Assembly.

 

ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES

In Nepal, political parties play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape and influencing the country's direction. They act as a bridge between the people and the government, representing various interests and ideologies, and are central to democratic processes like elections and policy-making. However, their effectiveness in institutionalizing democracy and addressing critical issues like ethnic politics and economic challenges remains a subject of ongoing debate.

 

1.  Representation and Participation: Parties aggregate public interests, articulate them as policy options, and provide structures for political participation. They mobilize citizens, contest elections, and aim to gain control over government institutions.
2.  Policy Formulation and Implementation: Parties develop manifestos and agendas, influencing the direction of government policies and legislation.
3.  Democratic Governance: They are considered fundamental to a functioning democracy, shaping the political system and holding the government accountable.
4. Political Stability and Transition: Political parties have been instrumental in movements for democracy and have played a role in transitions of power, including the overthrow of the monarchy.
5.  National Unity and Integration: Parties can play a role in addressing ethnic and regional issues, promoting national unity, and integrating diverse groups into the political system.
6. Challenges and Issues:Internal Party Dynamics: Infighting, factionalism, and ideological differences within parties can hinder their effectiveness and stability.
7. Accountability and Transparency:Concerns exist about the accountability of parties to the public and the need for greater transparency in their operations.
8. Influence of External Actors: Geopolitical realities and the influence of neighboring countries can impact party dynamics and political stability.
9. Economic Development:Parties face the challenge of addressing economic stagnation, poverty, and inequality.
10. Social Inclusion: Ensuring the representation and participation of marginalized groups, including ethnic minorities and women, remains a significant challenge.
11. Institutionalization of Democracy: Despite progress, concerns remain about the ability of parties to fully institutionalize democratic norms and practices.

POLITICAL PARTIES

Nepal officially adopted a multi-party system, allowing for the formation and participation of numerous political parties.

NEPALI CONGRESS (NC)

Nepali Congress (NC) is one of the oldest political party of Nepal. It played a vital role to abolish the century long autocratic Rana rule in 1951. It fought against the party-less Panchayat system and the regressive step of the king. It opposes active kingship and communism. It believes in a representative democracy. It has participated in every election of Nepal that was conducted democratically. It won more than two-thirds majority seats in the first general election held in 1959. In every election, it stayed in the first or second position.

COMMUNIST PARTY OF NEPAL (UNIFIED MARXIST-LENINIST)

The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), abbreviated as CPN-UML, is a major communist political party in Nepal. It emerged as a significant force after the end of the Panchayat era and has been a key rival to the Nepali Congress. The party's current chairman is Khadga Prasad Oli. CPN-UML was formed through the merger of the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist) in 1991. The party adheres to Marxist-Leninist ideology. CPN-UML is a major political force in Nepal, often acting as the primary opposition party to the Nepali Congress. It is a key player in the country's federal parliament and holds significant influence in local and provincial governments. In 2021, a split within the CPN-UML occurred, resulting in a faction led by Madhav Kumar Nepal forming a separate party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist).

 

COMMUNIST PARTY OF NEPAL (MAOIST CENTRE)

The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), abbreviated as CPN (Maoist Centre), is a major political party in Nepal. It was founded in 1994 after splitting from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre). The party played a significant role in Nepal's political landscape, particularly through its involvement in the Nepalese Civil War. The CPN (Maoist Centre) emerged in 1994, with Pushpa Kamal Dahal (also known as Prachanda) as its leader, following a split from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre). The party initiated a "People's War" in 1996, aiming to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic. This conflict lasted for a decade and significantly shaped Nepal's political trajectory.

The party has experienced mergers and splits with other communist factions, including a significant merger with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) to form the Nepal Communist Party (NCP). However, the NCP later dissolved, and the CPN (Maoist Centre) was revived. The CPN (Maoist Centre) is currently one of the major political parties in Nepal, holding a significant number of seats in the Parliament. They are a member of the Samajbadi Morcha.

 

RASTIRYA PRAJANTANTRA PARTY (RPP)

Rastriya Prajatantra Party was formed on 29 May 1990 by a group of leaders of the Panchayat system seeking a political space in the post democratic era after 1990s. This party advocated the active role of the monarch as its political manifesto. But RPP’s birth in national politics wasmarked by controversy as the former panchas failed to unite under single leadership (Thapa,2017). This party splintered into two factions in 1991 where the two factions were led Surya Bahadur Thapa and Lokendra Bahadur Chand. After a merger, it again splintered form the second time in 1997. Now, there are two RPP splinters: one led by Kamal Thapa and another by Pashupati Shamsher Junga Bahadur Rana. 

 

CONCLUSION

Democracy in general is a governance system that upholds the principles of the rule of law, human rights, freedom and public accountability. The equivalent Nepali term for democracy is ‘loktantra’. ‘Lok’ means people and ‘tantra’ means rule. In that sense, democracy is the rule of the people. People are the ‘soul’ of the political system, i.e., the ‘body’. Political parties need to keep people in the centre of their policies. A survey of the political history shows that Nepali political parties have played an important role in establishing democratic system of governance and other institutions. After the movement of the 2006-2007, Nepal fundamentally moved forward with a new form of electoral system which practiced a mixed model of first-past-the-post and proportional representative model. The constitution of 2015 made Nepal a constitutionally secular country that adopted federal republican form of political organization. The mainstream political parties, therefore, can be credited for the institutionalization of democracy in Nepal in the post 1990 political context.