Who should be the next president?

Come March 9, Nepal will elect a new president. It will be the fourth presidential election after Nepal became a federal republic in 2008. This time, however, the issue of presidential candidates has become a contentious topic among major political parties. It has threatened the unity of the nascent ruling coalition. CPN-UML, a primary coalition partner in the CPN (Maoist Center)-led government, wants the top job for its candidate.

Incumbent President Bidya Devi Bhandari, also a UML pick, has already served as the head of state for two successive terms.  Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, meanwhile, is not keen about the idea of supporting a UML candidate. With the opposition, Nepali Congress, also in the presidential race, Dahal wants a national consensus candidate. Given the checkered legacies of the presidents hitherto—Bhandari and her predecessor Ram Baran Yadav—who were criticized for being partial toward their respective parties, there is a call for a nonpartisan candidate, who can stay above petty party politics.

In this context, Pratik Ghimire spoke with politicians and experts to solicit their views on what kind of president they would prefer. 

Ghanashyam Bhusal, Leader, CPN (Unified Socialist)

We have a ceremonial presidential system, so it is important for the candidate to honor that role of nominal head of state. If the president starts abusing his or her power, it can create problems. The president should be the person who could protect the constitution by exercising the rights and duties as provided for by the constitution. This is why it is important that the next president is elected based on national consensus.

Tula Narayan Shah, Political analyst

The president should be that person who understands politics and can keep the prestige of the position. The previous and the current president were active members of political parties. That's not a problem in itself, but they acted like a puppet of their parties, which is a problem. 

Bipin Adhikari, Constitutional expert  

​​​​There is no problem with the presidential candidate coming from a political background. But once elected, he or she must be able to maintain national unity and preserve the constitution. As the prime minister is an advisor of the president, there will be no problem even if the president is apolitical. If a political party leader who is actively involved in politics and has already served as a minister were to become the president, it will be difficult for him or her to maintain the dignity of the office. So, the important thing is his or her capacity to stay neutral and not get involved in party politics. Also, as Nepal has already elected a female and a Madhesi president, I would like to see the next president to be from a Dalit, indigenous or minority community.

Meena Poudel, Political analyst 

We are in a multiparty competitive democratic system. And if we are asking for an apolitical president, it will not be in accordance with our system. So, the president must be a political person, not an active cadre but a political person. The tenure of two presidents have suggested that the president should stand above the political parties for national unity and integrity. If we put a person who has no political knowledge, it will hamper our political system and institutional framework. 

Narayan Dahal, Standing Committee Member, CPN (Maoist Center)

The president should be the person who can rise above the parties and lead the country. The need for that kind of leadership has become urgent. So, a national consensus will help to bring the country to stability.  We have asked this coalition to find a common character and form a common candidate in the presidential election. In which we also have to bring the Nepali Congress as the Congress has also given a vote of confidence to the prime minister. It should not be sought outside of political consciousness. We want a person who understands the national agenda. That person can be from any party. It can also be a person who has been in politics but is now independent. An independent person who will not advance the agenda of a party but accepts the achievements like federalism, republicanism and secularism is what we want.

Puranjan Acharya, Political analyst  

There is no problem if Nepal gets a political or apolitical figure for the president because the president must abide by the constitution. He or she should not go beyond the constitutional framework. The president should act as a defender of the constitution. But the two presidents we have had so far ran into controversies for not maintaining the dignity of their position. President Bidya Devi Bhandari has not maintained the single criteria that the constitution suggests. Former president Ram Baran Yadav was slightly better than her. He, at least, did some good work. So, for now, the new president should at least be like Yadav.

Indra Adhikari, Political analyst

We have already seen two presidents, and they were enmeshed in so many controversies. They didn’t try to establish the president’s office as an honored institution, which hampered our political system. So, the time has come to elect a president who could safeguard the constitution without being influenced by political parties. There are capable leaders within the political parties who can become a good president. Personally, I think an individual from a marginalized community should be elected the head of state. 

Khim Lal Devkota, Member, National Assembly

​​​​​​​

Even if the president is a political outsider, he or she can be a good head of state so long as they possess good moral conduct. An ideal presidential candidate should have achieved a national height in his or her field.  Our previous and current president tried to work against the constitution several times. So, we must elect a president who can really work within the bounds of the constitution and champion national unity. 

Nain Singh Mahar, Leader, Nepali Congress

​​​​​​​

I, personally, want a political figure for the president, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t apolitical individuals who are capable of the role. I think the presidential candidate should have a good understanding of the Nepali politics, or else he or she will not be able to work according to the constitution? Ideally, a person who was actively involved during the drafting and promulgation of the constitution could make a good presidential candidate. The candidate should also be far-sighted, someone who can take bold decisions. 

Bishnu Rijal, Leader, CPN-UML

​​​​​​​

As the president is the apex position in politics, the person for the job should also be a political figure from a political party. An experienced and knowledgeable person who could show a light during a crisis should be the next president. I don’t think that an apolitical person, a retired bureaucrat, or a civil society member is suitable for the job of a president.

Functions, duties and powers of President: (1) The President shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as conferred to him or her pursuant to this Constitution or a Federal law. (2) In exercising the powers or duties under clause (1), the President shall perform all other functions to be performed by him or her on recommendation and with the consent of the Council of Ministers than those functions specifically provided to be performed on recommendation of any body or official under this Constitution or Federal Law. Such recommendation and consent shall be submitted through the Prime Minister. (3) Any decision or order to be issued in the name of the President under clause (2) and other instrument of authorization pertaining thereto shall be authenticated as provided for in the Federal law.