KATHMANDU: Parliament Day is being observed today with a variety of programs.

This day commemorates the first elected parliament, which met for the first time on Asar 16, 2016 BS.

The parliament was formed following the country’s first general elections held in 2015 BS.

To mark the establishment of the parliament, the Federal Parliament Secretariat and the Ex-MPs Forum are organizing various events today.

The first parliament elected Nepali Congress leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai as Speaker on Asar 19, 2016.

He served as Speaker until Poush 1, 2017, when the elected parliament was dissolved by then-King Mahendra, who imposed a partyless Panchayat system.

In a message on the occasion, Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire emphasized the need to focus the parliament on the country and its people while correcting procedural shortcomings.

He stated, “It is everyone’s responsibility to strengthen the country’s parliamentary system based on the principles and norms specified by the Constitution.”

Ghimire highlighted the importance of contributions from all sides to raise public faith and trust in the parliament.

Despite the country’s long parliamentary history, continuous practice and strengthening of the parliamentary system have been hindered by repeated political upheavals.

However, Speaker Ghimire expressed his belief that Parliament Day would promote parliamentary democracy and inspire efforts to make the parliament more dynamic and people-oriented.