EC determines percentages for inclusive groups for PR system

KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has determined the percentages for inclusive groups under the proportional representation system for the upcoming House of Representatives election, in line with the House of Representatives Member Election (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.

President Ram Chandra Paudel issued the ordinance on Friday on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, as per Article 114(1) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015.

The government had recommended issuing an ordinance to amend Schedule 1 of the House of Representatives Member Election Act, 2017, to reflect the population shares of Dalits, Indigenous Nationalities, Khas Arya, Madheshi, Tharu, and Muslim communities as per the 2021 National Census.

EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said political parties must now recommend candidates for the proportional representation system by aligning with the inclusive group percentages as per the latest census.

The Dalit population, which stood at 13.8 percent in the 2011 census, has declined to 13.4%. Similarly, the population of indigenous nationalities declined from 28.7% from 2011 to 28.2% in 2021, while the population of Khas Arya group decreased slightly from 31.2% to 30.3%.

Likewise, the Tharu community’s share in the population fell marginally from 6.6% to 6.5%. percent. In contrast, the populations of Muslim and Madheshi communities have increased from 4.4% to 4.9% and 15.3% to 16.3%, respectively.

Schedule 1 of the House of Representatives Member Election Act, 2017, currently lists inclusive group percentages based on the 2011 census. The ordinance updates the inclusive group percentages based on the 2021 census.

Political parties will now have to submit their closed lists of candidates based on the new inclusive group percentages derived from the 2021 national census.