Nepal has once again plunged into political turmoil as President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the House of Representatives and announced fresh general elections in November amid the raging coronavirus pandemic in the country.
As per the constitutional provision, the President on Saturday authenticated the recommendation made by the Cabinet to dissolve the Parliament and declare the snap polls for November 12 and 19, a notice issued by the President Office read.
“If the Prime Minister appointed according to clause (5) fails to get the vote of confidence or if any member fails to be appointed as Prime Minister, the President shall, on the recommendation of Prime Minister, dissolve the House of Representatives and fix a date to conduct another election within six months,” Article 76 (7) of the Constitution states.
In a dramatic turn of events of Friday, embattled Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the Opposition parties staked separate claims for the formation of a new government by submitting letters of support from lawmakers to the President.
However, Bhandari stated that the claims made by both Oli and Deuba have failed to meet the required provisions and as such, neither Oli nor Deuba can form the new government.
This is for the second time that the Parliament has been dissolved. Earlier, President Bhandari had dissolved the House on December 20 last year but later it was reinstated on February 23. The decision to dissolve the house came hours after a new government formation bid failed.
