Kathmandu, March 10
The results of the direct (first-past-the-post) elections for members of the House of Representatives have been finalised. The vote counting under the proportional representation system is still ongoing. The Election Commission aims to complete the vote counting by the morning of March 11.
After vote counting under the proportional representation system is complete, the Commission will determine the number of Members of Parliament each political party will receive, based on the votes obtained by parties that have crossed the threshold.
The Commission will then send letters to political parties asking them to recommend the names of MPs to be elected, ensuring representation in accordance with the proportional cluster system and the number allocated to each party.
After the parties recommend names from their closed lists, the Commission will verify whether the recommended candidates meet the inclusion and proportional cluster requirements. Once verified, the Commission will finalise the names of the elected MPs under the proportional representation system and provide them with certificates.
According to Election Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the Commission is working with the goal of completing all these tasks by March 19.
In the 275-member House of Representatives, 110 members are elected through the proportional representation system, while 165 members are elected through the direct electoral system.
Meanwhile, the Federal Parliament Secretariat has already begun preparations to manage the new Members of Parliament. According to Joint Secretary and spokesperson of the Secretariat Ekram Giri, preparations are underway to administer the oath of office to the new MPs at a modern, well-equipped new Parliament building within Singha Durbar.
The new Parliament building is being constructed in Putali Bagaicha within Singha Durbar.
The Ministry of Urban Development has said that the completed halls and buildings of the under-construction Parliament complex will be handed over to the Parliament Secretariat by March 15.
Near the new Parliament building under construction in Singha Durbar, offices for parliamentary parties of political parties have been arranged. Necessary structures for the Parliament Secretariat, National Assembly, and House of Representatives have been placed nearby.
At the central part of the new Parliament building complex, there is an entrance for VVIPs, and next to it is an entrance for staff and others. Upon entering through the main gate, one reaches a plaza. On one side of the plaza is the Parliament Secretariat, and on the other side is the House of Representatives hall. Behind the Secretariat and the House of Representatives, on one side are the offices of parliamentary parties, and on the other side is the National Assembly.
The House of Representatives meeting hall has a seating capacity of 700 people, with 400 seats in the main hall and 300 seats in the balcony. The National Assembly balcony has a capacity of 290 seats. There is also a joint lobby with a capacity of 350 seats.
Parliamentary party offices and meeting halls have been constructed for 10 political parties, both large and small. Special rooms have been prepared for the Prime Minister, Speaker, Chairperson of the National Assembly, and chief whips of the parties, among others. Each office also includes a meeting hall with 25 seats.
The Federal Parliament complex will include a library and a canteen. The area within the new Parliament building will also have a garden and a small open space.
Infrastructure has been developed for parking up to 700 vehicles, along with buildings for security personnel, a press and printing building, and green open spaces with water fountains within the Parliament complex.
