ABSTRACT

This chapter presents an analysis of previous elections and offers suggestions for future improvement of the system. The historical background was that though equality had been stated in the constitutions since 1962, it was based upon a Hindu Nepali state with one language. Equality was achieved by suppressing diversity rather than recognising it. The social conflicts had at least two dimensions: The exclusion was based upon caste and ethnicity. It was clear that an element of proportionality would be built into the system of representation, moving Nepal away from the Westminster model with single-member constituencies that had been used during the 1991, 1994 and 1999 elections. It could be a chamber with authorities similar to that of the principal chamber but it could also be a chamber representing the federal units with powers in certain decisions regarding devolution of powers, minority rights and so on, and therefore would require a higher degree of consensus on certain decisions.