Proposed Chief Election Commissioner for deregistering inactive parties

KATHMANDU: Proposed Chief Election Commissioner Man Bahadur Karki has said that political parties that do not participate in elections should not be allowed to remain registered indefinitely.

Presenting his action plan during a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, Karki said the political party registration system needs to be made more systematic and accountable. He argued that parties that do not contest elections should not continue to be kept on the register indefinitely.

A meeting of the Constitutional Council held on July 3 picked Karki for Chief Election Commissioner, and Rajeev Subba and Guru Prasad Wagle as election commissioners.

Stating that many parties registered with the Election Commission (EC) have remained inactive for long, Karki proposed reviewing legal provisions governing party registration. “The management of political parties will be made more dignified by introducing legal provisions to cancel the registration of parties that do not actively participate in democratic practices or contest elections,” the action plan presented by Karki during the hearing states.

Karki also expressed commitment to reviewing the existing legal framework governing political party registration and establishing clear criteria and standards.

He has also proposed providing state funding to political parties. “The government will facilitate the necessary legal and policy framework to provide subsidies to political parties based on votes secured in the most recent election and other widely accepted indicators,” the action plan states.

According to Karki, the proposal aims to reduce political parties’ dependence on donations and promote fair competition.

He also proposed institutional arrangements to ensure that internal party elections are conducted in line with the Election Commission’s principles, strengthen monitoring of party activities, and establish a system under which the Election Commission directly observes party general conventions.

The action plan also includes proposals to ensure proportional and inclusive representation in party committees at all levels, develop institutional mechanisms to manage and regulate political parties in line with the federal structure and require parties represented in parliament to designate liaison officers for regular coordination with the Election Commission.

Karki has also proposed introducing a None of the Above (NOTA) voting option and ensuring voting rights for Nepalis living abroad.