KATHMANDU: The percentage of inclusive groups under the proportional representation (PR) system for the upcoming elections will be determined based on the latest national census.
This follows the introduction of the House of Representatives Member Election (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. President Ram Chandra Paudel issued the ordinance on Friday on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers in accordance with Article 114 (1) of the Constitution.
The government had proposed amending Schedule-1 of the House of Representatives Member Election Act, 2017 to align inclusion quotas with population figures from the 2021 national census. The amendment updates the percentage allocation for Dalits, Indigenous Peoples, Khas Aryas, Madhesis, Tharus and Muslims.
Previously, Schedule-1 of the Act was based on population data from the 2011 national census.
With the amendment in place, political parties contesting the proportional representation seats in the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5 will be required to submit closed lists of candidates in line with the inclusion percentages determined by the latest census.
Parties applying for the PR system have been given two days—December 28 and 29—to submit their closed lists.
Election Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said the ordinance has made it easier to determine inclusion quotas in accordance with updated demographic data.
Comment