2013 Nepalese Constituent Assembly election

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.

2013 Nepalese Constituent Assembly election

19 November 2013

575 of the 601 seats in the Constituent Assembly
301 seats needed for a majority
Turnout79.82%
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Sushil Koirala Jhala Nath Khanal Pushpa Kamal Dahal
Party Nepali Congress CPN (UML) Maoist Centre
Last election 21.14%, 110 seats 20.33%, 103 seats 30.81%, 227 seats[lower-alpha 1]
Seats won 196 175 80
Seat change Increase86 Increase 72 Decrease 147
Popular vote 2,418,370 2,239,609 1,439,726
Percentage 25.55% 23.66% 15.21%
Swing Increase4.41pp Increase3.33pp Decrease15.06pp

  Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party
 
Leader Kamal Thapa Bijay Kumar Gachhadar Surya Bahadur Thapa
Party RPP-Nepal MJAF(L) RPP
Last election 1.03%, 4 seats 3.40%, 11 seats[lower-alpha 2]
Seats won 24 14 13
Seat change Increase 20 New Increase2
Popular vote 630,697 274,987 260,234
Percentage 6.66% 2.91% 2.75%
Swing Increase5.63% New Decrease 0.65pp

  Seventh party Eighth party
 
Leader Mahantha Thakur Upendra Yadav
Party TMLP MJF-N
Last election 20 seats, 3.16% 6.32%, 52 seats
Seats won 11 10
Seat change Decrease9 Decrease42
Popular vote 181,140 214,319
Percentage 1.91% 2.26%
Swing Decrease1.25pp Decrease4.06pp

Prime Minister before election

Khil Raj Regmi
Independent

Elected Prime Minister

Sushil Koirala
Nepali Congress

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 topmost 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 thought 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 nationwide 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 Maoists 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.

PartyProportionalConstituencyTotal
seats
+/–
Votes%SeatsVotes%Seats
Nepali Congress2,418,37025.55912,694,98329.80105196+81
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)2,239,60923.66842,492,09027.5591175+67
Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)1,439,72615.21541,609,14517.792680–149
Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal630,6976.6624252,5792.79024+20
Madheshi Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal (Loktantrik)274,9872.9110283,4683.13414New
Rastriya Prajatantra Party260,2342.7510238,3132.63313+5
Madheshi Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal214,3192.268206,1102.28210–44
Tarai-Madhesh Loktantrik Party181,1401.917171,8891.90411–10
Sadbhavana Party133,2711.415140,9301.5616–3
Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist–Leninist)130,3001.38598,0911.0805–4
Federal Socialist Party121,2741.285108,6831.2005New
Rastriya Janamorcha92,3870.98366,6660.7403–1
Communist Party of Nepal (United)91,9970.97324,8080.2703–2
Rashtriya Madhesh Samajwadi Party79,5080.84376,3920.8403New
Nepal Workers Peasants Party66,7780.71354,3230.6014–1
Rastriya Janamukti Party63,8340.67239,3620.44020
Terai Madhes Sadbhavana Party62,7460.66265,0490.7213New
Tharuhat Tarai Party Nepal62,5260.66238,9720.4302New
Nepal Pariwar Dal51,8230.55214,5460.1602New
Dalit Janajati Party48,8020.52233,5170.3702+1
Akhanda Nepal Party36,8830.39112,5900.1401New
Madeshi Janadikar Forum (Gantantrik)33,9820.36135,2890.3901New
Nepali Janata Dal33,2030.3516,8160.0801–1
Khambuwan Rashtriya Morcha, Nepal30,6860.3216,4510.0701New
Nepa Rastriya Party28,0110.3019,3770.10010
Jana Jagaran Party Nepal27,3970.2913,5100.0401New
Sanghiya Sadhbhawana Party25,2150.27120,3950.2301New
Madhesh Samata Party Nepal23,0010.2418,1300.0901New
Samajwadi Janata Party21,6240.2314,6610.0501New
Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch (Tharuhat)21,1280.2214,6220.0501New
Sanghiya Gantantrik Samajwadi Party Nepal18,6310.2008,9500.1000New
Communist Party of Nepal18,1400.1908,2910.0900New
Nepal Yuwa Kisan Party16,2040.1702,4570.0300New
Nepal Janata Party15,6500.1702,4410.03000
Nepal Sadbhawana Party15,5780.16012,5720.1400New
Khas Samabeshi Rashtriya Party15,2250.1606,0350.0700New
Terai Madhesh Pahad Himal Ekata Party12,4660.1302,2120.0200New
Akhanda Sudhur Pashchim Party12,3340.1305,5480.0600New
Madhesh Terai Forum11,2860.1203,6320.0400New
Rashtriya Swabhiman Party Nepal11,2700.1201,5500.0200New
Lok Dal10,9530.1207480.0100New
Janata Dal Nepal10,6450.1103500.0000New
Nepal Loktantrik Samajbadi Dal10,3590.1101,5520.0200–1
Janata Dal Loktantrik Party10,0180.1101,4780.0200New
Jana Prajatantrik Party8,6450.0901,3180.0100New
Shiva Sena Nepal8,4160.0903,4790.0400New
Picchada Barga Nishad Dalit Janajati Party8,3320.0902550.0000New
Mongol National Organisation8,2150.0904,6690.05000
Nava Nepal Nirman Party8,1190.0901,3980.0200New
Chure Bhawar Rastriya Ekta Party Nepal7,9750.0802,4100.0300–1
Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist–Leninist–Maoist) Samyabadi7,7810.0802470.0000New
Nepal Shanti Kshetra Parishad7,7570.080410.00000
Nepal Gantantrik Ekata Party7,1780.0800New
Sanghiya Limbuwan Rajya Parishad7,0630.0703,0630.0300New
Bishwa Satyabadi Party6,6660.0701110.0000New
Sahakari Party Nepal6,1410.0608470.0100New
Rastriya Janata Dal Nepall6,0970.0602,5690.03000
Shanti Party Nepal6,0320.0601,6590.02000
Sanghiya Samabeshi Samajwadi Party, Nepal5,9780.060650.0000New
Garib Ekta Samaj Party, Nepal5,8590.0604210.0000New
Madhesi Janadikar Forum Madhesh5,8140.0602,1970.0200New
Rashtriya Yatharthabadi Party Nepal5,5050.0609530.0100New
Nepal Ama Party5,4910.0601,5420.0200New
Janata Dal United5,3960.0605220.0100New
Rashtriya Shiva Sena Party5,3710.0601,9590.0200New
Rashtriya Madhesh Bahujan Samajwadi Party5,3010.0608690.0100New
Samyukta Rashtrabadi Morcha Nepal5,2250.0608120.0100New
Rashtriya Mukti Andolan Nepal5,2160.0601670.0000New
Chure Bhawar Loktantrik Party5,0850.0505660.0100New
Nepal Nagarik Party4,8610.0506910.0100New
Nepal Labour Party4,8370.0509820.0100New
Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Gajendrawadi)4,8240.0501,6790.0200New
Rashtriya Nagarik Party4,6680.0502900.0000New
Chure Bhawar Rashtriya Party4,6500.0505770.0100New
Nepal Sadbhawana Party (United)4,5780.0501,2850.0100New
Bahujan Samaj Party Nepal4,5220.0504600.0100New
Jantantrik Terai Madhes Mukti Tigers4,3700.0502,7550.0300New
Hindu Prajatantrik Party, Nepal4,2150.0401780.0000New
Naya Nepal Rashtriya Party4,1400.040550.0000New
Jana Unity-Cooperative Party of Nepal4,0660.0402,1250.0200New
Nepal Samabeshi Party3,8820.0401310.0000New
Deshbhakta Samaaj3,8660.0407030.0100New
Limbuwan Mukti Morcha3,7480.0403980.0000New
Liberal Democratic Party3,7210.0404070.0000New
Nepal Jana Sambeshi Ekata Party3,6740.0401420.0000New
Nepal Communist Party (ML-Socialist)3,6610.0407880.0100New
Janata Party Nepal3,5950.0401,3540.0100New
Rashtriya Chure Bhawar Party3,4840.0404030.0000New
Nepal Gauravshali Party3,3880.0401160.0000New
Nepal Rastriya Bikas Party3,3730.0405500.01000
Rastrabadi Ekta Party3,3650.0407500.01000
Social Republican Party3,3600.0405410.0100New
Deshbhakta Paryavaraniya Samajik Morcha3,2930.0302170.0000New
United Green Organisation3,2290.030940.0000New
Jana Morcha Nepal3,1810.0308760.0100New
Nepal Rashtra Sewa Dal3,1270.0301830.0000New
Loktantrik Party - Nepal3,1070.0302490.0000New
Rastriya Jana Bikas Party3,1020.030670.0000New
Matribhumi Nepal Dal3,0990.0304400.0000New
Naya Sanghiyata Janadharana Party3,0070.0300New
Nepal Rashtriya Yatayat Bikash Dal2,9520.030120.0000New
Rashtrabadi Ekata Party2,9050.0303940.0000New
Limbuwan Mukti Morcha Nepal2,8440.0307410.0100New
Nepal Samajwadi Party (Lohiaite)2,7430.0307430.0100New
Sanghiya Bikashbadi Party Nepal2,6520.0300New
Rashtrabadi Janata Party2,5050.0307620.0100New
Nepal Janabhavana Party2,4390.030280.00000
Nepal Nyayik Dal2,3790.0301460.0000New
Tamangsaling Rashtriya Janaekta Party2,3080.020360.0000New
Samyukta Jana Morcha2,2250.0201470.0000New
Shramik Janata Party - Nepal2,0340.020450.0000New
Rashtriya Madhesh Ekata Party, Nepal2,0310.0208500.0100New
Om Sena Nepal2,0110.020180.0000New
Hariyali Party Nepal1,9270.0202510.0000New
Nepal Madhesi Janata Dal (S)1,9020.0203340.0000New
Nepal Shramjivi Dal1,8910.020400.0000New
Yuwa Shakti Nepal Party1,8200.020220.0000New
League Nepal Shanti Ekta Party1,8130.0204350.00000
Loktantrik Janata Party Nepal1,7290.0201350.0000New
Terai Pahad Himal Samaj Party1,6970.020810.0000New
Rashtriya Loktantrik Yuwa Party1,1910.010340.0000New
Nepali Janata Party9960.0100New
Garib Janatako Kranti Party6820.0100New
Nepal Democratic Progressive Party100.0000New
Independents107,7641.19220
Total9,463,862100.003359,044,908100.00240575–26
Valid votes9,463,86296.809,044,90895.04
Invalid/blank votes312,8413.20471,8264.96
Total votes9,776,703100.009,516,734100.00
Registered voters/turnout12,249,06279.8212,147,86578.34
Source: Election Commission, Nepal, Republica, IJSR

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
  •  Germany: The Federal Office congratulated the interim government for holding free and credible CA elections and said "high turnout in the election has testified Nepalese people´s firm commitment to democracy and the rule of law".[23]
  •  India: The External Affairs Ministry congratulated "the people of Nepal, political parties, government and security forces and the Election Commission of Nepal" for "conducting free and fair elections for the Constituent Assembly".[24]
  •  China: The Embassy welcomed the "smooth holding" of the Constituent Assembly elections and said it "sincerely hopes that the political forces in Nepal will continue to strengthen dialogue and consultations for early completion of the constitution-making process and realize its goal of national stability and development".[25]
  •  Japan: The Election Observation Mission composed of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an outside expert from Tokushima University and headed by Japanese Ambassador, Masashi Ogawa, concluded the "election was conducted in a peaceful, free and fair manner without serious irregularities". A statement issued by the Embassy read: "Japan hopes that this election will further consolidate democracy in Nepal and its post-electoral political process toward promulgating a constitution will develop smoothly. Japan will continue to support Nepal's efforts for peace-building and the consolidation of democracy".[26]
  •  UK: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Hugo Swire congratulated the people of Nepal and stated "these elections were generally peaceful and well run, a credit to the people and the election authorities" [27]
  • United States: The White House Press Secretary hailed the elections as "a milestone not just for Nepal but for people around the world working to rebuild after conflicts and resolve disputes via constitutional and homegrown means" and pledged continued support for Nepal's democratic exercise.[28]
    • Former US President Jimmy Carter congratulated Nepal on a "well conducted election process" and urged the UCPN (Maoist) to "respect the will of Nepali voters as expressed on election day".[29]

Notes

  1. 220 seats, 29.28%; CPN (Maoist) and 7 seats, 1.53%; Janamorcha Nepal
  2. 8 seats, 2.45%; RPP and 3 seats, 0.95%; Janshakti

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. Archived from the original on March 15, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  3. Utpal Parashar (May 27, 2012). "Nepal fails to meet constitution deadline". Kathmandu: Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. 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 Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine
  8. AFP: Nepal calls April-May elections to end deadlock Archived 2012-11-21 at the Wayback Machine (21 November 2012)
  9. Nepal strike shuts down capital Al Jazeera, 12 September 2013
  10. Majority Against CA Extension Archived 2013-10-06 at the Wayback Machine 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". Time. Kathmandu: Time Magazine. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  18. "Maoist internal review sparks blame game". Kathmandu: eKantipur. Dec 15, 2013. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved Dec 15, 2013.
  19. Ekantipur Report (25 December 2013). "'UCPN (M) to give unconditional support to NC-led govt'". Ekantipur. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  20. "Election was free and credible: EC". EKantipur. 23 November 2013. Archived from the original on 25 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. 20 November 2013. 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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