Preparations are underway for the first meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) following the general election, with the session scheduled to commence on April 2.
The Parliament Secretariat has called an all-party meeting for 2 pm, today to finalize the inaugural agenda. Key discussions will include seat management for MPs and whether party leaders will address the first session. According to spokesperson Ekram Giri, the Secretariat aims to place at least one member from every party in the front row, though physical space constraints in the hall remain a challenge.
The road to the speaker’s chair
Constitutionally, the HoR must elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker within 15 days of its first meeting. According to the process, outlined in the House of Representatives Rules 2079, Senior Member Arjun Narsingh KC will chair the first meeting, reading the President’s call for the session and setting the election date.
Candidates must be proposed by one MP and supported by up to three others. In the event that only one candidate is nominated, they are declared elected unopposed. If multiple candidates emerge, a candidate is elected upon securing a simple majority of the total members.
Political maneuvering
The political landscape has shifted with the rise of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). After Prime Minister Balen Shah appointed Sudan Gurung as Home Minister, rumors suggest RSP Vice President DP Aryal is a frontrunner for the Speaker’s post.
Once the appointment of Speaker is finalized, the House will move to elect a Deputy Speaker. The two positions must be filled by individuals of different genders and from different political parties as per the constitutional provisions.
.
