Kathmandu, September 18

Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang today authenticated the new constitution endorsed by more than two-thirds of the CA members on September 16.

Earlier today, 536 CA members signed the document as part of the formal requirement of the constitution-making process.

The new constitution will come into effect after President Ram Baran Yadav unveils it at the CA meeting scheduled for 5:00pm on September 20.

Of the 598 CA members, 58 members of Madhes-based parties and Prabhu Sah of Unified CPN-Maoist boycotted the process of the CA. A total of 61 members, including 59 who boycotted the proceedings and two CA members of Nepali Congress — Pradip Giri and Sheela Khadka — were absent during the endorsing of the constitution bill and signing of the document today.

Four CA members — Meghraj Nepali (Nishadh) of Madhes Samata Party Nepal, Bishwendra Paswan of Bahujan Shakti Party, Rajya Laxmi Golchha of CPN-UML and Laxman Rajbamsi of Nepa: Rastriya Party, who were absent during the final voting, signed the document today.

Top leaders of major parties, including Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and former prime ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal and Baburam Bhattarai were also present during the authentication programme organised at Lhotse Hall of the CA building.

Earlier, the CA members signed the document between 9:00am and 3:00pm as scheduled.

All 25 members of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, who had voted against the constitution during the final voting on September 16, also signed the new constitution today.

After the CA members signed the five copies of the endorsed constitution, the CA chairman authenticated the copies by signing on the designated page that mentioned that the CA chair has authenticated the new constitution.

Former CA members, former prime ministers, heads of constitutional bodies, dignitaries and foreign diplomats have been invited to participate in the ceremony on Sunday when President Ram Baran Yadav will promulgate the constitution.

The CA Secretariat organised a formal photo session at the front entrance of the CA building after the CA members had signed the copies of the constitution.

Following the photo session, PM Sushil Koirala urged those protesting the constitution to protect the achievements — republican set-up, federalism, inclusion and guaranteed rights for women, Dalits, Madhesis, indigenous and other underprivileged groups. He said the country should stride towards development and prosperity and there was no place for conflict and violence.

Nembang said the challenge was to implement the new constitution effectively.

He urged those outside the CA and opposing the process to seek more achievements from the foundation of the new constitution.

“This is the result of struggle of all, including those boycotted the process of late. I request you to protect the achievements of all these years,” he said.