KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has urged the government and political parties to seek a consensus on the matters pertaining to National Assembly Formation.

“Economic prosperity will be achieved in the country on the basis of consensus, cooperation and unity," President Bhandari said, “The current dispute must be resolved through proper discussions and consultations between government and other parties.”

During the meeting with top leaders from the two political parties in the left alliance — CPN-UML and CPN Maoist Centre— held at the Office of President at Shital Niwas today, the President congratulated the government, political parties and constitutional bodies on the completion of the elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies hailing it as a milestone in enforcement of the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

Likewise the President expressed hope that the elections would further contribute to the institutional development of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, former Speaker Subash Chandra Nembang, CPN Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Maoist Centre leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha visited Shital Niwas to call on the President.

The process to endorse an act for formation of the National Assembly (NA) has been stalled because of lack of consensus among the political parties. Strife between the parties on choosing the electoral system has halted the endorsement of National Assembly election bill.

"The law-making process has remained stagnant with the dispute among the parties on whether to introduce the Single-transferable-vote-system (STV) for the formation of the National Assembly. Thus, the parties should decide which electoral system – single or multiple – would be appropriate,” CPN-MC leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said.

In this backdrop, an ordinance on the formation of National Assembly forwarded by the government has been tabled by the President’s Office.

“The current ordinance forwarded by the government defies constitutional values and previous agreements,” Shrestha further said. “However, we believe that the current deadlock can be resolved through discussions.”

Talking to THT Online, Chief Personal Secretary of the President, Bheshraj Adhikari said, "The prime concern of the Office of the President is that the any prevailing uncertainty must be resolved by means of consensus." "The President's office is of the opinion that normal post-elections proceedings must take certain pace in order to avoid future complications," informed Adhikari.

On being asked if the Office of the President has any specific stand on the debate revolving around the ordinance, Adhikari said that there are no specific stands and that the President is hopeful that consensus will be met. "Such discussions only clarify people's perceptions on such matters and bring newer information and therefore it must not be seen as a conflict," Adhikari further added.

As per the Constitution, the Federal Parliament cannot be established prior to the formation of National Assembly. Furthermore, the number of Proportional Representation seats cannot be determined without forming the National Assembly and House of Representatives.