South Asia News
Nepal postpones deadline for new constitution for last time
Nov 29, 2011, 19:28 GMT
Kathmandu - Nepal's parliament Tuesday extended the term of the country's Constituent Assembly by a further six months amid persistent disagreements on the content of a new constitution.
The parliament endorsed the extension bill with an overwhelming majority of 505 votes in favour and 3 against.
It was the fourth time that the assembly's mandate was extended since its first deadline expired in April 2010. The latest deadline had been set for Wednesday.
Drafting a new constitution has been repeatedly delayed as politicians squabble over the system of governance, the division of provinces and the electoral system.
The 601-member Constituent Assembly was first elected in 2008 and was originally given a two-year mandate to write a charter.
The Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that its mandate could only be extended one last time, meaning lawmakers now have until May 26 to reach a comprehensive deal.
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