Kathmandu. The meeting of the Constitutional Council (CC) scheduled for Sunday morning has been halted due to the chief opposition party Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s inability to participate in the meeting.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had called the CC meeting to fill the vacant positions in the constitutional commissions, but NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba informed that he would no tkoin the meeting, the meeting had to be canceled for today. According to the Constitution, the leader of the opposition party is a member of the ConstitutionC ouncil.

The main opposition Nepali Congress has declared a nationwide protest against the government. Citing the protest as the cause, Deuba did not participate in the meeting today as it would be contradictory on his part to protest on one hand and join the meeting of the CC called by head of the the government on the other. Source tells that Deuba had sent a letter through central member Ramesh Lekhak informing the prime minister about his being unable to attend the meeting.

There are more than 40 positions vacant in the Constitutional Council because of lack of coordination in sharing the positions within the ruling party and with the main opposition party. Some Constitutional Commissions have not acquired their complete shape even after four years of their formation.

Four positions are vacant in the national Human rights Commission, including the chief. Two positions of commissioners are vacant in the Commission for the Abuse of Authority including the chief commissioner. Two commissioners are also needed to fill the positions in the Election Commission.

Likewise, National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission has vacancy of four commissioners, National Women Commission four and National Dalit Commission also requires four commissioners including the chief.

Positions of three commissioners and the chief commissioner in the National Inclusion Commission and the chief commissioner and three commissioners in the Indigenous Nationalities Commission are vacant. The Madhesi, Tharu and Muslim Commissions have got their chairs only.