Political Parties
The political and governmental situation in Nepal is one of change. The old monarchy is slowly changing into a parliamentary democracy. The Prime Minister of Nepal is currently the head of government but the king, King Gyanendra, retains his position as head of state. So, while Nepal is still a multiethnic, multilingual and Hindu monarchy, it also has a multi-party democratic system. There are a number of Nepal political parties currently active in the country.
Nepal was an absolute monarchy until 1990 when it faced a people’s movement against the monarchy. As part of efforts to avoid conflicts, the monarchy agreed to a parliamentary monarch. Various members of the public where elected by the people to work with numerous officials chosen by the monarchy – thus ensuring that the wishes of both parties were met. These various groups where to work together for a five year period but the arrangement was ended by the monarchy before this term was up. Ever since then, the Nepal governmental arrangements have tended towards instability and no government has lasted for more than two years. The governments usually dissolve through internal collapse or through parliamentary dissolution by the monarch.
The two earliest landmarks in political party history was most likely that of the first free and fair Nepal elections which were held in 1991 and that of all Nepalese citizens of 18 years and older becoming eligible to vote in the elections. However, despite advancements in the political oversight of the country, there has been little improvement in the lives of the people. A number of conflicts between police and the public have taken place since 1991.
The current parliamentary system is known as the Sansad and consists of two chambers – the House of Representatives and the House of the States. The House of Representatives has 205 members elected by the people for a five year term. The Hosue of the States has 60 members. 35 members have been chosen by the House of Representatives, 15 by the Regional Developments Ares and 10 are appointed. This system was dissolved by the king in 2002 on the grounds that it had not managed to contain the Maoists rebels but the move was protested by several major political parties.
Today there are several Nepal political parties in operation. Several have seats on the House of Representatives and they all generally work together to solve the various affairs of the country. The majority of currently active political parties in Nepal are listed below.
Political Parties in Nepal:
Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)
Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre-Masal)
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (Nepal Kamyunist Party)
Nepali Congress
Nepali Congress (Democratic)
Nepali Sadbhavana Party (Nepalese Goodwill Party)
Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party)
Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (National Democratic Party)