Nepalese Constituent Assembly election, 2013

Nepalese Constituent Assembly election, 2013
Nepal
19 November 2013

575 (of the 601) seats to the 2nd Nepalese Constituent Assembly
301 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Sushil Koirala Jhala Nath Khanal Prachanda
Party Nepali Congress Communist Party of Nepal (UML) UCPN (Maoist)
Leader's seat Banke - 1, Chitwan - 4 Ilam - 1. Sarlahi - 1 Kathmandu- 10, Siraha - 5
Last election 115 seats 108 seats 229 seats
Seats won 196 seats 175 seats 80 seats
Seat change Increase81 Increase67 Decrease149
Popular vote 2,694,983 (FPTP)
2,418,370 (Prop.)
2,492,090 (FPTP)
2,239,609 (Prop.)
1,609,145 (FPTP)
1,439,726 (Prop.)
Percentage 29.80% (FPTP)
25.55% (Prop.)
27.55% (FPTP)
23.66% (Prop.)
17.79%(FPTP)
15.21% (Prop.)
Swing Increase7.01% (FPTP)
Increase4.41% (Prop.)
Increase5.92% (FPTP)
Increase3.33% (Prop.)
Decrease12.27% (FPTP)
Decrease14.07 (Prop.)

Prime Minister before election

Khil Raj Regmi
Independent

Elected Prime Minister

Sushil Koirala
Nepali Congress

Constituent Assembly elections were held in Nepal on 19 November 2013.[1] The vote was repeatedly delayed,[2] having previously been planned for 22 November 2012 following the dissolution of the 1st Constituent Assembly on 27 May 2012, but it was put off by the election commission.[3] The Nepali Congress emerged as the largest party in the 2nd Nepalese Constituent Assembly, winning 196 of the 575 elected seats.

Background

Following King Gyanendra's suspension of Parliament and government takeover during the Nepalese Civil War, mass protests led to him to re-instate Parliament and end the war fought by the government against the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), on the condition that the constitution would be re-written. The king's powers were also removed and an election was held in 2008 to elect a Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly was tasked with writing a new constitution; however, its deadline was extended several times, with the last one set for 27 May 2012.

In the lead up to the deadline, there were several violent protests by a variety of ethnic groups outside the Parliament building. Rallies were then banned in the area and around the PM's office with riot police guarding against protests and the Nepali Army on high alert in case the situation could not be controlled. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai called for a new election on 22 November after the deadline passed, with a possibility of a state of emergency. A member of his party, Post Bahadur Bogati, announced that "it is not possible to promulgate the constitution within the deadline now. That possibility is out, 100 percent."

On the deadline day there were large protests as talks between the CPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and the Madhesi Front were ongoing. The talks broke down after the incumbent CPN (Maoist)'s demands for 10 to 14 new provinces largely along ethnic groups lines, which was supported by several small Madhesi parties calling for autonomy, was opposed by the Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML). CPN (Maoist) member Narayankaji Shrestha said that "a constitution is not possible without federal states recognising the identity of ethnic groups." The opponents of the proposal said the move could lead to tensions amongst different castes. Ram Sharan Mahat of the Nepali Congress said that the CPN (Maoist) "want[ed] to kill the assembly, not make the constitution" in order to stay in power. At a cabinet session that night CPN (UML) general secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokhrel walked out saying that the move was "unconstitutional, neither is it based on political consensus." However, the Madhesi leader Laxman Lal Karna said that "in the afternoon, the NC and the [CPN-]UML had said there was no chance of a deal. Let us go for polls. We have done the democratic thing."[4][5] The CPN (Maoist)'s Barsha Man Pun then announced the election saying that "we had no other alternative. We apologise for not being able to prepare the constitution."[6]

The Nepali Congress claimed the delays were a ploy by the UCPN (M) to remain in power and that Maoist-led government's "unilateral decision was unexpected".[7] However, according to an AFP interview on Rajkishore Yadav, the Maoist-led government "wanted to conduct elections in November 22" but the election commission insisted that "the lack of a workable constitution meant there were no legal provisions for holding a vote".[8]

In mid-September 2013, an opposition one-day strike called for the cancellation of the election.[9]

Opinion polls

In mid-2011, an opinion indicated that 45% of respondents opposed an extension of the CA's mandate. A majority of respondents were uncertain about who they would vote for. Similarly, there were calls for a fresh election by opposition politicians at the time. Most respondents also said a new constitution was the top most priority.[10]

In the Himal Media opinion poll conducted in March 2013, voters expressed a slight preference for the Nepali Congress,14.9%, over the CPN (UML), 11.3%, and UCPN (Maoist), 7.3%.[11]

Conduct

In the morning of the election, a bomb exploded near a voting station wounding three people after a boy picked up what he though was a toy that then exploded. It also follows days of similar attacks by those opposed to the election.[12] On December 16, Mohan Baidya, Chairman of the breakaway CPN(Maoist) which had boycotted the elections publicly stated his party had planted bombs across the country prior to the elections.[13]

Turnout

Voters turned out in record numbers with nation-wide turnout averaging 78.34% [14] breaking the previous record of 68.15% in the 1991 general elections.[15] The highest turnout was in Dolpa-1 at 89.5% and the lowest in Baitadi-2 at 67.32%.

Results

Initial results showed the Nepali Congress winning a plurality of the first-past-the-post seats with 105 of the 240 seats; the CPM-UML close behind with 91; and the CPN (Maoist) far behind, winning just 26. Smaller parties and two independent candidates won the remaining 18 seats.[16] 335 seats were allotted by proportional representation using a modified Sainte-Laguë method of allocation.

Party FPTP Proportional Total
seats
+/–
Votes % Seats Votes % Seats
Nepali Congress2,694,983 29.801052,418,37025.5591196Increase81
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)2,492,09027.55912,239,60923.6684175Increase67
Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)1,609,14517.79261,439,72615.215480Decrease149
Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal252,5792.790630,6976.662424Increase20
Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal (Loktantrik)283,4683.134274,9872.911014Increase14
Rastriya Prajatantra Party238,3132.633260,2342.751013Increase5
Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal206,1102.282214,3192.26810Decrease44
Tarai-Madhesh Loktantrik Party171,8891.904181,1401.91711Decrease10
Sadbhavana Party140,9301.561133,2711.4156Decrease3
Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist–Leninist) (2002)98,0911.080130,3001.3855Decrease4
Federal Socialist Party108,6831.200121,2741.2855Increase5
Rastriya Janamorcha66,6660.74092,3870.9833Decrease1
Communist Party of Nepal (United)24,8080.27091,9970.9733Decrease2
Rashtriya Madhesh Samajwadi Party76,392 0.84 079,5080.8433Increase3
Nepal Workers Peasants Party54,3230.60 166,7780.7134Decrease1
Rastriya Janamukti Party39,352 0.44 063,8340.6722Steady
Terai Madhes Sadbhavana Party65,0470.72 162,7460.6623Increase3
Tharuhat Tarai Party Nepal38,972 0.43 062,5260.6622Increase2
Nepal Pariwar Dal14,546 0.16 051,8230.5522Increase1
Dalit Janajati Party33,5080.37048,8020.5222Increase1
Akhanda Nepal Party12,590 0.14036,8830.3911Increase1
Madeshi Janadikar Forum (Gantantrik)35,289 0.39033,9820.3611Increase1
Nepali Janata Dal6,8160.08033,2030.3511Decrease1
Khambuwan Rashtriya Morchan Nepal6,4510.07030,6860.3211Increase1
Nepa Rastriya Party9,3770.10028,0110.3011Steady
Jana Jagaran Party Nepal3,5100.04027,3970.2911Increase1
Sanghiya Sadhbhawana Party20,3950.23025,2150.2711Increase1
Madhesh Samata Party Nepal8,1300.09023,0010.2411Increase1
Samajwadi Janata Party4,6610.05021,6240.2311Increase1
Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch (Tharuhat)4,6220.05021,1280.2211Increase1
Sanghiya Gantantrik Samajwadi Party Nepal8,9500.10018,6310.2000
Nepal Communist Party8,2910.09 018,1400.1900
Nepal Yuwa Kisan Party2,4570.03016,2040.1700
Nepal Janata Party2,4410.03015,6500.1700
Nepal Sadbhawana Party12,5720.14015,5780.1600
Khas Samabeshi Rashtriya Party6,0350.07015,2250.1600
Terai Madhesh Pahad Himal Ekata Party2,2120.02012,4660.1300
Akhanda Sudhur Pashchim Party5,5480.06 012,3340.1300
Madhesh Terai Forum3,6320.04011,2860.1200
Rashtriya Swabhiman Party Nepal1,5500.02011,2700.1200
Lok Dal7480.01010,9530.1200
Janata Dal Nepal3500.00 010,6450.1100
Nepal Loktantrik Samajwadi Dal1,552 0.02010,3590.1100
Janata Dal Loktantrik Party1,478 0.02010,0180.1100
Jana Prajatantrik Party1,318 0.0108,6450.0900
Shiva Sena Nepal3,4790.0408,4160.0900
Picchada Barga Nishad Dalit Janajati Party2550.0008,3320.0900
Mongol National Organization4,6690.0508,2150.0900
Nava Nepal Nirman Party1,398 0.0208,1190.0900
Chure Babar Rashtriya Ekata Party 2,4100.0307,9750.0800
Nepal Shanti Chhetra Parishad410.0007,7570.0800
Nepal Gantantrik Ekata Party0007,1780.0800
Sanghiya Limbuwan Rajya Parishad3,0630.0307,0630.0700
Bishwa Satyabadi Party1110.0006,6660.0700
Sahakari Party Nepal8470.0106,1410.0600
Rashtirya Janata Dal Nepal2,5690.0306,0970.0600
Shanti Party Nepal1,659 0.0206,0320.0600
Sanghiya Samabeshi Samajwadi Party, Nepal650.0005,9780.0600
Garib Ekta Samaj Party, Nepal4210.0005,8590.0600
Madhesi Janadikar Forum Madhesh 2,1970.0205,8140.0600
Rashtriya Yatharthabadi Party Nepal953 0.0105,5050.0600
Nepal Ama Party1,5420.0205,4910.0600
Janata Dal United5220.0105,3960.0600
Rashtriya Shiva Sena Party1,9590.0205,3710.0600
Rashtriya Madhesh Bahujan Samajwadi Party8690.0105,3010.0600
Samyukta Rashtrabadi Morcha Nepal8120.0105,2250.0600
Rashtriya Mukti Andolan Nepal1670.00 05,2160.0600
Churebavar Loktantrik Party5660.0105,0850.0500
Nepal Nagarik Party6910.0104,8610.0500
Nepal Labour Party9820.0104,8370.0500
Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Gajendrawadi)1,6790.0204,8240.0500
Rashtriya Nagarik Party2900.0004,6680.0500
Churebavar Rashtriya Party5770.01 04,6500.0500
Nepal Sadbhawana Party (United)1,2850.01 04,5780.0500
Bahujan Samaj Party Nepal4600.00 04,5220.0500
Jantantrik Terai Madhes Mukti Tigers2,7550.0304,3700.0500
Hindu Prajatantrik Party, Nepal1780.00 04,2150.0400
Naya Nepal Rashtriya Party550.00 04,1400.0400
Jana Unity-Cooperative Party of Nepal2,1250.02 04,0660.0400
Nepal Samabeshi Party1310.0103,8820.0400
Deshbhakta Samaaj7030.0103,8660.0400
Limbuwan Mukti Morcha3980.00 03,7480.0400
Liberal Democratic Party4070.0003,7210.0400
Nepal Jana Sambeshi Ekata Party1420.00 03,6740.0400
Nepal Communist Party (ML-Socialist)7880.0103,6610.0400
Janata Party Nepal1,3540.0103,5950.0400
Rashtriya Churebavar Party4030.0003,4840.0400
Nepal Gauravshali Party1160.0003,3880.0400
Nepal Rashtriya Bikash Party5500.01 03,3730.0400
Rashtriya Ekata Party7500.01 03,3650.0400
Social Republican Party5410.01 03,3600.0400
Deshbhakta Paryavaraniya Samajik Morcha2170.00 03,2930.0300
United Green Organization940.0003,2290.0300
Jana Morcha Nepal8760.0103,1810.0300
Nepal Rashtra Sewa Dal1830.00 03,1270.0300
Loktantrik Party - Nepal2490.00 03,1070.0300
Rastriya Jana Bikas Party670.00 03,1020.0300
Matribhumi Nepal Dal4400.00 03,0990.0300
Naya Sanghiyata Janadharana Party00.00 03,0070.0300
Nepal Rashtriya Yatayat Bikash Dal120.00 02,9520.0300
Rashtrabadi Ekata Party3940.0002,9050.0300
Limbuwan Mukti Morcha Nepal7410.01 02,8440.0300
Nepal Samajwadi Party (Lohiaite)7430.01 02,7430.0300
Sanghiya Bikashbadi Party Nepal00.00 02,6520.0300
Rashtrabadi Janata Party7620.01 02,5050.0300
Nepal Janabhawana Party280.0002,4390.0300
Nepal Nyayik Dal1460.0002,3790.0300
Tamangsaling Rashtriya Janaekta Party360.00 02,3080.0200
Samyukta Jana Morcha1470.00 02,2250.0200
Shramik Janata Party - Nepal450.0002,0340.0200
Rashtriya Madhesh Ekata Party, Nepal8500.0102,0310.0200
Om Sena Nepal180.00 02,0110.0200
Hariyali Party Nepal2510.00 01,9270.0200
Nepal Madhesi Janata Dal (S)3340.0001,9020.0200
Nepal Shramjivi Dal400.0001,8910.0200
Yuwa Shakti Nepal Party220.0001,8200.0200
League Nepal Shanti Ekata Party4350.0001,8130.0200
Loktantrik Janata Party Nepal1350.0001,7290.0200
Terai Pahad Himal Samaj Party810.0001,6970.0200
Rashtriya Loktantrik Yuwa Party340.0001,1910.0100
Nepali Janata Party00.0009960.0100
Garib Janatako Kranti Party6820.00000.0000
Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist–Leninist–Maoist) Samyabadi2470.0007,7810.0000
Independents107,7641.19 220
Total9,044,908 1002409,463,86210033526601
Source: Election Commission, Nepal, Republica

Reaction

Domestic

The UCPN (Maoist) leader Prachanda protested the conduct of the election, alleging fraud, and threatening to withdraw from the Constituent Assembly.However domestic and international pressure mounted and various political leaders from Nepali Congress and CPN UML urged Unified Maoist to accept the peoples verdict and get involved in the process of a peaceful CA.[17] Subsequently an internal assessment by the party concluded vote-rigging was not the cause of the party's defeat and mentioned "misrepresentation of the party on issue of federalism and the party’s split" as reasons for defeat.[18] On December 25, 2013, the UCPN (Maoist) offered unconditional support to the Nepali Congress to form the next government following the signing of a four-point deal between the NC, CPN(UML), UCPN (Maoist) and Madesbadi parties that agreed to form a parliamentary body to investigate election irregularities.[19]

In response to the allegations of fraud leveled by the Maoist and smaller parties, Chief Election Commissioner Nilkantha Upreti affirmed the elections were "concluded in a free, fair , impartial and credible manner" and urged voters "not to believe in such misleading publicity" about the fairness of the elections.[20]

Supranational
International

See also

References

  1. "Nepal voting ends for new Constituent Assembly". BBC News. November 19, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  2. "Channel NewsAsia". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  3. Utpal Parashar (May 27, 2012). "Nepal fails to meet constitution deadline". Kathmandu: Hindustan Times. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  4. "Nepal premier calls for fresh elections". Al Jazeera English. October 4, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  5. Prashant Jha (May 28, 2012). "Nepal's CA fails to write Constitution". The Hindu. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  6. Sharma, Gopal (May 27, 2012). "Nepal faces fresh turmoil after charter deadline missed". Reuters. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  7. Poll call Maoist ploy to stay in power, says NC
  8. AFP: Nepal calls April-May elections to end deadlock (21 November 2012)
  9. Nepal strike shuts down capital Al Jazeera, 12 September 2013
  10. Majority Against CA Extension Nepal News, 19 October 2011
  11. Nepali Times,15–21 March 2013 #647. Retrieved Nov 29, 2013.
  12. "Bomb blast at Nepal polling booth - Central & South Asia". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  13. "CPA, 12-pt pact have been scrapped: Baidya". eKantipur. Retrieved December 16, 2013."Meanwhile, Baidya has owned up the responsibility for explosions that occurred in various places across the nation ahead of the Constituent Assembly elections..."The party cadres detonated bombs realising it was necessary for the people," he said."
  14. "Constituency Wise Cast/Valid/Invalid Votes". Election Commission of Nepal. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  15. "Sovereign people make CA polls historic". My Republica. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  16. "Nepali Congress maintains lead over CPN-UML in polls". LiveMint. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  17. Charlie Campbell (November 22, 2013). "Nepal's Maoists Dispute Election Results, Raising Fears of Further Crisis". Kathmandu: Time Magazine. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  18. "Maoist internal review sparks blame game". Kathmandu: eKantipur. Dec 15, 2013. Retrieved Dec 15, 2013.
  19. Ekantipur Report (25 December 2013). "'UCPN (M) to give unconditional support to NC-led govt'". Ekantipur. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  20. "Election was free and credible: EC". EKantipur. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  21. "STATEMENT by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the Elections to the Constituent Assembly of Nepal" (PDF). European Union External Action Service. European Union External Action Service. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  22. "Nepal: Ban welcomes peaceful conduct of Constituent Assembly poll". UN News Centre. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  23. "Germany hails Nepal election". My Republica. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  24. "India congratulates Nepal for fair polls". Business Standard. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  25. "China hails election". The Himalayan Times. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  26. "Japanese observers declare elections free, fair". 23 November 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  27. "FCO Minister comments on the recent elections in Nepal". Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  28. "Statement by the Press Secretary on Elections in Nepal". The White House. Office of the Press Secretary, The White House. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  29. "Carter Center Congratulates Nepal on Well-Conducted Election Process". The Carter Centre. The Carter Centre. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
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