KATHMANDU: National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal has said the Constitution should be amended with the aim of moving forward toward a more mature and stronger democratic system rather than reversing the achievements made so far.
Speaking at an interaction on “The Second Decade of Constitution Implementation: Opportunities and Challenges” organised by the National Legislative Academy in Kathmandu on Thursday, Dahal said the Constitution should remain open to periodic review and amendment as time, society and public aspirations evolve.
“The Constitution is certainly a foundation for stability, but apart from some fundamental principles, it is not an unchangeable document,” Dahal said. “However, constitutional amendments must never be driven by the interests of a particular class, community or political party.”
He stressed that the debate on constitutional amendment should prioritise the spirit of federalism and focus on further strengthening the role, authority, capacity and dignity of all three levels of government.
He said amendments were necessary to further expand citizens’ rights, strengthen inclusive democracy, make the governance system more stable and accountable, and help translate the Constitution’s vision of a socialism-oriented state into practice.
Dahal said fundamental constitutional features such as republicanism, federalism, secularism, proportional inclusion and competitive multiparty democracy were national achievements established through the long struggle of the Nepali people.
He said these issues should not be treated as agendas serving the interests of any particular group but as common national heritage.
“Any initiative to amend the Constitution must be directed toward further institutionalising these achievements, strengthening the democratic republic and bringing direct positive changes to citizens’ lives,” Dahal said.
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