Nepal’s House of Representatives begins its first meeting today, with Home Minister Sudan Gurung set to table three key ordinances, marking the formal start of parliamentary proceedings after the recent elections.
Ordinances to Be Presented in First Sitting
The opening session will feature the presentation of three key legislative measures: the Voter List (First Amendment) Ordinance 2082, the House of Representatives Election (First Amendment) Ordinance 2082, and the Nepal Special Service (Second Amendment) Ordinance 2082. These ordinances are expected to influence electoral processes and administrative operations in the near future.
Before the ordinances are tabled, senior-most member Arjun Narsingh KC will preside over the session. He will read official letters received from the President regarding the summoning of Parliament, as well as documents related to the appointment of the Prime Minister and the formation of the Council of Ministers. KC will also propose three members to chair meetings in his absence.
Leadership Process and Constitutional Timeline
The first meeting is also expected to initiate the process of electing the Speaker. According to constitutional provisions, the House must elect both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker within 15 days of its first sitting. In line with parliamentary practice, the Secretariat is likely to be tasked with publishing the election schedule soon after proceedings begin.
Once the Speaker is elected, the process for selecting the Deputy Speaker will follow. Given the limited timeframe, early steps from the first meeting are considered essential to ensure timely completion of leadership appointments and smooth parliamentary functioning.
Preparations Complete and House Composition
Parliament officials have confirmed that all physical, technical, security, and human resource preparations have been completed to ensure smooth proceedings. The National Assembly, the upper house, will hold its meeting separately within the Federal Parliament Secretariat premises.
The 275-member House of Representatives currently reflects a strong majority for the Rastriya Swatantra Party with 182 seats. Other parties, including the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and smaller groups, will also play a role in shaping discussions and legislative decisions as the new session moves forward.
