KATHMANDU: The Constituent Assembly Committee on Judiciary today decided that parliament should be empowered with the final say to elucidate on constitution on issues that pertain to national and political importance.

A voting method had to be adopted since the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML lawmakers were in favour of entrusting the responsibility with the Supreme Court. They felt that the apex court would be most suited to hold forth on all aspects of the new statute, keeping in view of the political transition.

However, a majority of the Maoist Constituent Assembly (CA) members opined that parliament should explain the constitutional nitty-gritty. If it fails to satisfy, then the Supreme Court could be approached for the same.

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) lawmakers suggested a completely different model, stating that that a constitutional court should be set up to explain the finer points of the statute.

Akabal, a MJF CA member, observed that parliament would not be able to make constitutional matter clear. "Parliament has no authority to promulgate the constitution. Hence, we've suggested an alternative. A constitutional court needs to be set up at the earliest," he said. But, NC and UML lawmakers reasoned that the authority should rest with the Supreme Court to prevent any kind of separation of power.

While, the Maoist lawmakers argued that if the apex court were to explain political issues - as enshrined in the constitution - then it would lead to a gamut of complications.