Nepal's constitutional overhaul stalls as parties clash over amendment scope

In March 2026, Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced a 100-point administrative reform agenda that included a constitutional review, leading to the formation of a task force under political adviser Asim Shah. The panel worked from early April and delivered a report on July 16 recommending amendments to 245 of the 308 articles, a scope that alarmed traditional parties. The Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, NCP and several Madhesh-based parties have publicly questioned whether the initiative aims to rewrite the constitution, with many refusing to send representatives or withdrawing from meetings.

The government says the paper merely compiles public submissions and will be released soon, emphasizing the need for broad consensus before any amendment. Constitutional experts criticize the lack of transparency and the government's failure to articulate specific reform priorities, warning that the process could stall without a clear proposal. The debate also highlights broader disagreements over the electoral system, provincial governance and the role of the monarchy, while the Supreme Court has blocked a recent attempt to alter the two-thirds voting threshold.