Kathmandu: President Bidya Devi Bhandari refused to sign the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Nepal. Experts pointed out that the President’s action of not signing the bill, which was approved twice by both houses of Parliament, was unconstitutional. As per the constitution, the time limit is 15 days. Tuesday was the last day for the President to sign the bill. Speaker Anki Prasad Sapkota re-sent the bill earlier sent back by the President with the approval of both houses of Parliament on September 5. The amendment bills related to granting citizenship to Nepalis living abroad and foreign women marrying Nepalis were shelved by the President without signing.
This will be a setback for thousands of people who are waiting for Nepalese citizenship. However, constitutional expert Dinesh Tripathi said that the move of the President who did not sign the bill has led Nepal to a constitutional crisis.