The CPN (UML) presented its 23-point suggestion to the interim constitution drafting committee (ICDC) on Sunday, suggesting that the interim constitution include provision to hold referendum to decide the fate of monarchy.

The three-member Interim Constitution Advisory Committee headed by UML standing committee member Bharat Mohan Adhikari submitted its suggestion to the drafting committee members at the ICDC office in Singha Durbar Sunday.

Talking to Nepalnews, UML central leader and member of the advisory committee, Surendra Pandey, said the party had suggested the drafting committee to include the mandate of the people’s movement-II, democratic republic, peace and inclusive restructuring of the state as the ‘directive principles of the state’. The UML has suggested that the interim constitution make provision for referendum to take decision on monarchy, he said.

“The UML is in favour of democratic republic. The fate of monarchy should be decided through referendum, which can be held in tandem with the constituent assembly elections,” he said, adding, “There is no guarantee that the constituent assembly will have 2/3rd majority in favour of abolishment of monarchy from the country.” He said the UML believed that the country could easily do away with monarchy through a referendum.

Citing instances of Italy and Bolivia where constituent assembly polls and referendum were held together, Pandey said that it would be a cost-effective and practical method, which will decide whether the monarchy will remain in the country.

On the Nepali Army, Pandey said, the UML has suggested that it “should be national in nature”, inclusive and democratic and should be under the cabinet. The party has also suggested that the interim constitution make provisions to resolve the problems regarding the distribution of citizenship.

However, the UML has made no specific mention about the interim parliament, which has been the crux of the dispute between the parties and the Maoists. “This issue can be resolved through dialogue between the parties and the Maoists,” Pandey said.

The UML’s suggestion came a day after the end of the second deadline given to the drafting committee to finalise the interim statute. The drafting committee had decided to seek suggestions from the seven parties and the Maoists before presenting it to the peace talks teams of the two sides.

Reports, meanwhile, said the committee was still working on some matters regarding the interim parliament as agreed in the 8-point agreement reached at the June 16 summit talks.

Other constituents of the SPA are yet to present their suggestions to the ICDC, which is likely to the get another deadline to submit the draft of the interim constitution.