EC seeks suggestions for amendments to Political Parties Act

KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has sought suggestions from political parties, civil society leaders, journalists, stakeholders and the general public for amendments to Political Parties Act, 2017.

Stating that management and regulation of political parties is a matter of common concern, the EC said that it was collecting suggestions from stakeholders to amend the existing law.

Issuing a statement on Wednesday, the EC said concerns are being raised against the internal democracy of political parties due to shortcomings and inadequacies in the existing laws on the formation, registration, and operation of political parties. Additionally, the EC has said that questions about party membership, party funds and political finance arrangements, implementation of party statutes, dispute resolution, documentation of decisions voluntary financial support and transparency are being raised. “It is, therefore, necessary to reach a concrete and appropriate conclusion by further discussing provisions related to property details, election manifestos and implementation, provisions related to defection and new party registration, accounting and auditing, provisions for participation in elections with a single election symbol, party code of conduct, and disbursing subsidies to parties from the state fund among others,” the EC said in the statement.

The EC has also stated that it has formed two committees to prepare a draft for the amendment.