At a time when Nepal has been passing through a crucial period of implementing the constitution, Nepal Constitution Foundation, with support from Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, organized a talk program on the challenges in the implementation of the constitution.

At the program, chaired by president of NCF Ganesh Bhatta, Dr. Surya Dhungel and Professor Krishna Khanal presented two papers on the legal and political implications of the Constitution.

Dr. Dhungel highlighted institutional gaps and constitutional challenges in the context of three tiers of government and bringing political stability. Similarly, Professor Khanal highlighted the role of political leadership in the present context.

Attended by a large number of people, including members of parliament, lawyers, constitutional experts and others, the 3-hour program concluded with the observation of political leaders, Krishna Prasad Sitaula of Nepali Congress, former chair of CA and CPN-UML leader Subhash Nembang and Maoist Center leader Shakti Basnet.

Although the speakers expressed the challenges of quality leadership, political leaders, present at the program, stressed the need for harmonious relations among all the stakeholders. “Nothing is perfect. What is required is to implement the constitution,” said NC leader Sitaula.

“We have entered into a new phase following the promulgation of the constitution and holding of the local election. No one can prevent us from holding the next round of elections now,” said Nembang.

“The constitution documents all different views on directly elected president and parliamentary system,” said Basnet.

Annette Schlicht, resident representative, FES, spoke about the role of her organization in promoting democratization and civic education in Nepal. She said that this is an important function in the context of the implementation of the program.

Wrapping up the program, Ganesh Bhatta, president of the foundation, said that there is the need of honesty among political forces and state organs to implement the present constitution.