On November 22nd, 2024, as part of workshop series on Political Instability, a discussion session was organized by Niti Foundation on ” Political Instability and Constitutional Amendments in relation to Proportional Representation Electoral System”, where political leaders, law-makers and constitutionalism expert discussed the overall issues revolving around the PR electoral system in Nepal.
During the session, it was well established that there is no causal link between proportional representation electoral system – a provision of 2015 Constitution – and political instability, and that blaming PR system for unstable government is regressive and a mere distorted narrative. In fact, majority agreed that the PR system has been misused. Nepal’s political culture was claimed to be at fault.
While alternative electoral systems were proposed, the discussion concluded with suggestions on further discussions on how to best implement the PR electoral system as the issue of underrepresentation of the historically marginalised in Nepal still prevails.
