A group of civil society members has expressed serious concern over the ongoing Parliament impasse over Speaker’s election. 

Issuing a statement on Thursday, 17 signatories from different fields said the continuous postponement of House meetings through notices is against the parliamentary practice and indicates to the public a lack of accountability. 

“We strongly believe that such practice and behaviour should be discontinued in future and that the meeting of the House of Representatives called for January 20 must be held as scheduled,” read the statement. 

The statement has been signed by Surya Prasad Shrestha, former chief election commissioner; Gaurishanker Lal Das, former member of the National Human Rights Commission; Prof Ganesh Man Gurung, a former Constituent Assembly member; and constitutionalists Surya Dhungel, Purnaman Shakya Bipin Adhikari Tikaram Bhattarai and Dinesh Tripathi.

Social scientists Sumitra Manandhar Gurung and Dambar Chemjong, medical doctor Saroj Dhital and litterateur Sulochana Manandhar have also signed the statement. The other signatories are journalists Dharmendra Jha and Kanak Mani Dixit and lawyers Sunil Ranjan Singh and Phurpa Tamang as well as Tika Dhakal, a writer and political analyst.

“The position of Speaker should be filled by a capable Member of Parliament who has high moral standing, is trusted by the public and eligible under existing laws, as well as someone who does not have cases pending in the courts and who is able to provide able parliamentary leadership,” read the statement. 

The civil society members have expressed concerns about the Nepal Communist Party leadership asking Deputy Speaker Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe to step down. 

They have also strongly objected to the discussion within the ruling party to amend the constitution to allow a member of the Upper House to become the prime minister of the country. 

Bamdev Gautam, who lost 2017 parliamentary elections, has been demanding an amendment to the constitution to pave the way for a National Assembly member, to become the prime minister.