In a landmark moment for Nepal’s parliamentary history, Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal, Vice Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has been officially elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Aryal was elected unopposed during today’s session of the lower house, marking the first time in 16 years that a non-communist leader has taken the gavel.
The election process, which concluded this morning, saw Aryal emerge as the sole candidate for the post. His candidacy was proposed by RSP Chairperson and lawmaker Rabi Lamichhane and seconded by fellow party members Swarnim Wagle, Sobita Gautam, and Sunil Lamsal.
The Election Proceeding
The House session was presided over by the senior-most member of the House, Arjun Narsingh KC. After the formal proposal and seconding of the candidacy, and noting that no other nominations had been filed by the opposition, Senior MP KC declared Aryal elected to the post of Speaker in accordance with Rule 7 of the House of Representatives Regulations.
Following the announcement, Senior MP KC led the chamber in congratulating the newly elected Speaker, wishing him a successful and impartial tenure. “The role of the Speaker is the cornerstone of our democracy,” KC remarked. “We look forward to a term defined by the rule of law and robust parliamentary debate.”
A Shift in Political Dynamics
Aryal’s election reflects the shifting political landscape in Nepal following the March 5 general elections, where the RSP secured a commanding 182 seats in the 275-member House.
At 51, Aryal is recognized for his steady leadership within the RSP, particularly during periods of internal transition. Upon his election, he pledged to uphold the dignity of the House and conduct business in a transparent, constitutional manner.
Next Steps: The Deputy Speaker
With the Speaker’s position filled, attention now turns to the election of the Deputy Speaker. Under Article 91 of the Constitution of Nepal, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker must be of different genders and belong to different political parties.
Since Aryal represents the ruling RSP, the Deputy Speaker must be a woman from another party. The Nepali Congressand the Shram Sanskriti Party (SSP) have already expressed interest in fielding candidates for the role.
Speaker Aryal is expected to take his oath of office before the President later today, after which he will immediately assume his duties to preside over the next House meeting scheduled for Monday, April 6.