Nepal council rejects Prez reservation on election panel

The constitutional council headed by Chief Justice-cum-Chairman of the Council of Ministers,Khil Raj Regmi,Saturday rejected President Ram Baran Yadavs reservation over names recommended for appointment as Chief Election Commissioner and two commissioners.

The council sent a letter to the President nearly eight hours after Regmi met him in the morning,asserting that appointment of Nilkantha Upreti as CEC (he was earlier acting CEC) and two past commissioners did not violate the provision of the interim constitution. President Yadav had expressed his reservation over the three names since the interim constitution clearly stated that no CEC or EC would be eligible for reappointment in the post. Besides,there are two fresh nominees recommended for post of ECs.

Interestingly,this is the first time the head of the state ever has questioned the legitimacy of the proposed appointment of CEC.

Sources in the Presidents office said in the new context,the President may just sign on the dotted line and leave the aggrieved,if any,to approach the court for redressal instead of confronting the council and the executive head.