KATHMANDU, JULY 18

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has rescinded the Constitutional Council Act (Amendment) Ordinance on the recommendation of the government, on Sunday.

According to the statement issued by the President's office, she has rescinded the Constitutional Council amendment ordinance at the recommendation of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today itself, pursuant to Article 114(2b) of the constitution.

The cabinet meeting held on Saturday had decided to recommend the president to revoke the ordinance.

President Bhandari had issued the controversial ordinance on May 4.

As per Article 284 (1) of the constitution, the Council has the PM as chairperson and chief justice, speaker, deputy speaker, chair of the National Assembly and leader of the opposition as members of the body.

However, after the amendment, the ordinance reduced the quorum required for Constitutional Council meetings and the process of making decisions.

The original Constitutional Council Act, required the attendance of four members of the Council, including the chairperson, to meet the quorum for meetings.

Following the issuance of the ordinance, a writ was filed at the Supreme Court demanding the court repeal the ordinance.