President Bhandari sends Citizenship Bill back to Parliament for reconsideration

KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has sent back the Citizenship Bill to the Federal Parliament for reconsideration.

The Parliament had earlier sent the Bill to President Bhandari for authentication.

According to President’s office spokesperson Sagar Acharya, President Bhandari sent the Citizenship Bill back to Parliament on Sunday for reconsideration.

“It is necessary to reconsider the issue related to the acquisition of citizenship in accordance with the Constitution of Nepal in the Bill made to amend the Nepal Citizenship Act, 2063 BS, which was certified by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and submitted for verification in accordance with Article 113 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal,” a statement issued by the President’s Office said.

According to clause (3) of Article 113 of the Constitution of Nepal, this Bill has been sent back to the House of Representatives by the Honorable President, the statement issued by Acharya said.

There is a constitutional provision that the President can verify the Bill passed by both houses of the Parliament within 15 days or send it back for reconsideration.

President Bhandari sent the Citizenship Bill back to Parliament two days before the expiry of the timeframe.