Inclusive participation in the political process: The new constitution of Nepal embraces the concept of multi-caste, multiculturalism and multilingualism. Article 18 (3) provide special provisions for the protection, empowerment or advancement of women, dalits, indigenous peoples, marginalized, medhasi groups etc. It ensures 33% representation of women from each party in both the houses of the Federal Parliament and the state Assemblies. To achieve this quota, the House of Representatives (HoR) and SAs (state Assemblies) Election Acts state that women must make up at least 50 percent of each proportional representation (PR) list submitted by a party to compensate for any shortfall from the first-past-the-post (FPTP) seats. There are no reserved seats for women within the FPTP seats. This has resulted in women making up only 7.45 percent of all FPTP candidates but 56 percent of all PR candidates. In addition to a 50 percent quota for women on a party’s PR list, the HoR and SA Election Acts specify the percentage of candidates on each list that should come from six “inclusion” groups specified in the constitution: Dalit 13.8%, Madhesi 15.3%, Adivasi Janajati 28.7%, Khas Arya 31.2%, Tharu 6.6%, and Muslim 4.4%.
Strong Opposition Party: Opposition party plays an important role in democracy. In current situation of Nepal, Nepali congress is the main opposition party. As congress is one of the dominant party in Nepal which ruled several times. Congress are raising voice on certain policies to make Government accountable and they are monitoring the government activities effectively. Leader of opposition party is also the member of constructional council which is the positive part to make democratic consolidation.
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Free Fair and open election: Free and fair election is the most important principle to make democratic consolidation. Nepal achieved a political milestone holding its first general elections (Local, Federal and central) after almost two decades in 2017. And the election was observed as a free, fair and open election with high voter turnout.
Low level of GDP Per capita: Increase in the GDP Per Capita of a country contributes democratic consolidation. High economic growth and development raised the living standard of most of the people and provided legitimacy to the democratic rule. According to the report of Nepal GDP (2018) The GDP per capita of Nepal is only$1,026 which is only $125 higher than in 2017 and ranks 166 th position out of 192 countries remain one of the poorest country of the world. Democratic consolidation cannot be achieved at low level of economic development.
High Cost election system: Election spending is becoming expensive. Estimates shows that Rs. 50 billion was spent for the local level election from the Government as well as candidates’ side. Being second poorest among South Asia countries the cost of election is prodigal and it goes on unproductive purpose.
Weak Social and government enforcement agencies: One of the major weakness of democratic consolidation in Nepal is the lack of strong government agencies to enforce laws and rules as strictly as they need to. Democracy is based on law. Neither President nor prime minister nor military/police are above the law. Equal application of law to all the citizens of the country is important for democratic consolidation. In Nepal, there are more than enough laws but the main problem lies in its implementation. Anyone who favored in political patronage can basically get away with most of the crimes and some of the crimes involve money laundering, uncontrolled theft of government money and other illegal crimes. Enforcement agencies needs to be equipped to enforce laws and should give the authority to persecute anybody regardless of his or her position.
Too much politicization in institutions: The independent institutions like judiciary and others are supposed to check on the power of executive but in Nepal judiciary are being weakened by political parties as they appoint party affiliated people in major independent posts. Qualified people are not coming in power only near and dear one is coming.
Weak Civil society: Civil society plays major role in promoting democracy. But, in Nepal civil society is not strong and organized properly. Civil society should play an independent role but hey are highly influenced by major political parties and most of the NGOs are run by the political parties. Work of NGOs depends on which is the ruling party and those NGOs who supports the ruling party only they will get enough fund to continue the project.
Lack of accountability and transparency: In Nepal, both politicians and public sector is not accountable towards citizens. There is no transparent system where the public is allowed to participate in policy formulation and provide suggestion regarding how to implement such policies effectively. Politicians always try to blame other parties rather than accepting their fault too.
Stable Government: Before 2017 political instability was exist in Nepal which fundamentally hindrances the economic development of the country. After 2017, Government is made by two-third majority party under coalition of Communist party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninst) and Communist part of Nepal (Maoist centre). Expectation of people towards economic growth is very high. It is time to focus on inclusive, transparent and accountable governance and ensure better service deliver for the citizens. At the same time, citizens should keep an eye on the activities of elected officials at levels- Federal, Provincial and Local to hold them fully accountable.
Promoting cultural pluralism and increasing marginalized communities’ representation in government: Nepal is a multi-lingual, multi ethnic and multi- cultural nation. Different language and cultures exist, which have made a rich unique national culture. The government has been working with full sensitivity to ensure ethnic and gender balance in all the sectors of the country. It an opportunity to create unity under diversity and showing good example by making peace to all over the world
Every citizens has right to participate in election: Constitution of Nepal has secured seats for women and other minorities. It provides opportunities to all the citizens to participate in politics regardless of sex, religion, race and language which provides the opportunities to become inclusive societies.
Corruption: One of the major threat of democratic consolidation of Nepal is high level of corruption. According to Transparency international Nepal, Nepal ranks 56 th most corrupted country of the world out of 180 countries and 2nd most corrupted countries in South Asia. Oko (2008) observes that nothing enervates democracy more than corruption. It is not only distorts governance but also provides perverse incentives for dysfunctional behavioural as well as diminished the quality of life of the citizens but diverting funds from social service to private pockets.
Boycott election by Biplav Party: On 16 june 2012, Baidhya announced the vertical split from Unified Communist party of Nepal Maoist (UPCN-M) and formed Communist party of Nepal Revolutionary. He said that UPCN-M was destroying the achievement of the people’s war. Again Bikram chand from communist party of Nepal Revolutionary announced split from it and he formed communist party of Nepal Maoist in November 2014. The party had boycotted the general election a security challenge for Nepal. In recent months, Chand’s party has increased violent activities in some parts of Nepal. Three month ago the three blasts taken place in Kathmandu and Chand released a statement on May 27 claiming responsibility in the bombing incidents. Government try to hold dialogue with the dissatisfied groups but extremist groups had rejected to attend table talk.
Geopolitical Government: Nepal is a landlocked country and it shares more than 1800 km of unregulated borders. Madhesis and Tharus share geographical and cultural affinities with the people living in Indian side, took to the streets against the draft constitution in August 2015, here Government of New Delhi used its diplomatic channels to put pressure on Kathmandu to address their demands. The Madhesis and Tharus each demanding an autonomous province with demographic advantage. Madhesi activist set up a blockade on the Nepal-India border to protest the constitution which affects the life of whole citizens in Nepal.
Guidelines for making democratic consolidation in Nepal (Focusing on current situation):
- Holding free, fair and open election in every five years is most important to make democracy consolidation.
- In order to increase economic development government should encourage other countries to invest in Nepal. Nepal can developed only through Foreign Direct investment and Capital of Non- Residential Nepalese association. For this, Nepal government should provide some kind of incentives to Foreign Investors.
- Ruling Government should start table talk with Biplav party. Biplav party are involved in violent activities which is increasing recently. It can be solved only by inviting them to participate in election process.
- Civil society should plays an independent role and must protect the right of minorities. They must work independently and check the balance of government activities. They should provide policies based on research and Government must create and enabling environment for civil society organizations to operate freely. Shrinking civic space is often subtler than physical violence against activists for example excessive bureaucratic burden for NGOs or blocking funding streams shows shrinking civil space.
- Nepal Government should carefully balance foreign policy in dealing with two regional power i.e India (Democratic Country) and China (Non- Democratic Country).
- Government should implement all the policies with equal application to all the citizens. Lax rule of law to the powerful people of state threat the democratic consolidation.
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