Kathmandu, September 18
The Election Commission says parties have to field women for at least 33 per cent of the first-past-the-post (FPTP) positions during the November 20 elections of the House of Representatives and national assemblies.
The laws have it that at least 33 per cent of the members of the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies shall be women, but there is no legal requirement about the share of women candidates. But, the commission decided to direct the parties to ensure that at least 33 per cent of their candidates under the direct election system are women.
Under the proportional representation (PR) election system, there is a 50 per cent reservation for women in each category.
The Election Commission says it made the decision considering sentiments of articles 38(4), 42 and 47 of the constitution as well as a similar directive of the National Concern and Coordination Committee of the National Assembly.
