Political Inclusion in Nepal: Challenges, New Forces, and the Youth-driven Shift

Nepal's political landscape is evolving, with significant progress in political inclusion for marginalized communities. From the 2015 Constitution’s guarantees to increasing youth-driven political movements, there is much to discuss when it comes to how marginalized groups and youth are shaping the future of Nepal’s democracy. However, despite legal reforms, challenges surrounding political representation, transparency, accountability, and internal democracy within political parties still persist. This article delves into these dynamics, focusing on constitutional provisions, the rise of new political forces, and the growing involvement of youth in shaping a more inclusive Nepal.

The Constitutional Commitment to Inclusion

The Constitution of Nepal 2015 is a critical milestone in the journey toward a more inclusive political system. Its provisions, such as Article 38, guarantee 33% representation for women in federal and provincial legislatures. Additionally, Article 42 mandates affirmative action for marginalized groups, including Dalits, Indigenous peoples, Madhesis, and other minority communities. These measures are designed to correct the political exclusion that historically hindered the participation of these groups.

Despite these efforts, there remains a gap between the constitutional vision and the ground reality, especially in high-level governance. A political elite group continue to dominate the Federal Parliament, while the representation of remote and marginalized groups like the Kusunda, Nurang, Raute, Kalar, and Lohorung remains disproportionately low. A recent article from The Kathmandu Post (November 2024) highlights that marginalized groups, despite constitutional protections, still struggle to gain meaningful representation in key decision-making processes at the federal level

Political Representation Across Government Spheres

• Federal Parliament: The House of Representatives and National Assembly have seen progress through proportional representation (PR) systems, which have provided opportunities for women and marginalized groups to enter politics. However, challenges remain in ensuring that these groups have real power, not just symbolic representation. Dominance by mainstream communities and political elites often stifles the ability of marginalized groups to influence major decisions.
• Provincial Governments: At the provincial level, more inclusive representation of Dalits, Madhesis, and Indigenous groups has been observed, but political influence remains limited. Political parties often place candidates from marginalized communities in less influential positions, weakening their potential for true political agency.
• Local Governments: The local elections marked a significant leap in political inclusion. Due to quotas and affirmative actions, there was a substantial increase in the representation of women and marginalized communities at the local level. However, local representatives from marginalized groups still face challenges in asserting political power and pushing for transformative policies that benefit their constituencies.

The Rise of New Political Forces and Youth-driven Change

One of the most striking developments in Nepal’s political scene has been the rise of new youth-driven political parties and movements. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), for example, has gained momentum with its appeal to younger voters disillusioned by the established political elite. This youth-led force not only advocates for greater political participation but also calls for transparency and political accountability. Democracy Resource Center points to such movements as examples of the growing desire among young Nepalis to reshape the political framework, pushing for more inclusive and responsive governance.

These new political forces are reshaping traditional politics. Youth-led organizations are becoming platforms for marginalized voices to be heard and actively engaged in the political process. The youth activism of today is not merely about creating new political parties, but about changing the dynamics within old structures, demanding more accountability, transparency, and participation. As the USAID publication on Democracy and Political Outreach suggests, this shift is part of a broader demand for reform and responsiveness from political parties.

The Need for Internal Party Democracy

Despite legal provisions for inclusive representation, Nepali political parties still struggle with internal democracy. Leadership positions are often determined by a few powerful figures, leaving little room for genuine democratic processes within the parties. This weak internal democracy poses a significant challenge to meaningful political inclusion.

Internal reforms within political parties are essential to ensure that they do not just pay lip service to the idea of political inclusion but implement it at every level. Political parties must adopt transparent and merit-based candidate selection processes and offer opportunities for marginalized groups to assume leadership positions. This would help strengthen democratic governance and allow marginalized communities to truly influence the political landscape.

Transparency, Accountability, and Representation

One of the key challenges in Nepal’s democratic process is accountability. Many political leaders remain detached from their constituencies, which undermines trust in democratic institutions. As USAID has highlighted, ensuring transparency and accountability is crucial for building public trust and enabling marginalized groups to participate fully in the political process.

At the local level, elected representatives from marginalized communities often struggle with political empowerment due to a lack of resources, training, and political support. To address this, civil society organizations (CSOs) must be supported to play a more significant role in holding elected officials accountable. Such CSOs can serve as important watchdogs, ensuring that representatives deliver on their promises and act in the best interest of their constituents.

Strengthening Political Inclusion Moving Forward

Looking ahead, there are several key areas that need attention to strengthen political inclusion in Nepal:

• Implementation of Constitutional Provisions: While the constitutional framework for inclusion is in place, implementation needs to be more rigorous. Ensuring that quotas and affirmative action policies are fully enforced at all levels of government will help marginalized communities gain a stronger political foothold.
• Youth Empowerment: The rise of youth-led political movements shows that young people are eager to participate in and change the political landscape. Mentorship and leadership training for youth, particularly from marginalized backgrounds, can ensure that youth-driven change leads to long-term improvements in political systems.
• Promoting Internal Party Reforms: Political parties must undergo internal reforms to ensure more democratic practices. A transparent and inclusive process for selecting candidates and allowing marginalized groups to take leadership roles is crucial to making political parties truly representative of the people.
• Enhancing Accountability: Strengthening accountability mechanisms at the local level through CSOs and community engagement will ensure that elected officials remain true to their commitments to marginalized groups.

Conclusion

Nepal’s political landscape is at a crossroads. While the Constitution of Nepal 2015 laid a strong foundation for political inclusion, challenges remain in ensuring that marginalized communities, especially in remote areas, have true political power. However, the rise of youth-driven political forces, internal party reforms, and a focus on accountability offer hope for a more inclusive political future. Nepal’s political system must evolve to meet the aspirations of its people, particularly those who have been historically excluded. Only through genuine political empowerment and inclusive governance can Nepal move closer to its ideal of a democracy that truly represents all of its citizens.

The efforts of civil society organizations, youth-driven movements, and political parties committed to reform will be crucial in shaping the future of political inclusion in Nepal. The road ahead is challenging, but the potential for a more transparent, accountable, and inclusive political system is within reach.