Kathmandu, January 4:

The Parliament today passed the “Bill on Amendment of Some Acts Related to Election” thus paving way for the government to fix a fresh date and the Election Commission to initiate the necessary procedure to hold the CA election by mid-April.

Home Minister KP Sitaula tabled the Bill at the parliament today after being finalised by the parliamentary State Affairs Committee in the afternoon.

However, the Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party, Janamorcha Nepal, Rastriya Janamorcha, and Janamorcha Nepal (United) voted against the Bill saying their amendment proposals were not entertained.

Sunil Prajapati of the Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party said his party voted against the Bill since his party was in favour of Mixed-Member-Proportional Representation.

Navaraj Subedi of Janamorcha Nepal United and Chitra Bahadur KC of Rastriya Janamorcha asked the government to explain the rationale behind increasing the Constituent Assembly strength to 601.

Also the parliament today unanimously passed the Nepal Trust Bill-2007 and the Arms and Ammunition (Second Amendment) Bill-2007. The Arms and Ammunition Bill has suggested an imprisonment of six-months to seven-years and a Rs 1,40,000 fine or even both to those found possessing illegal arms or explosives.

Home Minister Sitaula presented both the Bills in the House. The Nepal Trust Bill has a provision to use the capitals of late king Birendra and his family members for public welfare.

The government had on November 16 promulgated the Nepal Trust Ordinance-2007 as per Article 88 of the Interim Constitution 2007 with an aim to “run, manage and utilise” the property of late king Birendra, queen Aishwarya and other members of their family.

While the PM is the protector of the Trust, the Home Minister will function as its chairman. The government’s chief secretary will act as the vice-chairman.

Speaker Subas Nembang authenticated all the bills in the evening today to make them laws.