February 3, Kathmandu

Officials who have been recommended for appointments to various constitutional bodies have been sworn. Chief Justice Cholendra Shamsher Jabra administered the oath of office to those recommended in five commissions in the presence of President Bidyadevi Bhandari at Shital Niwas on Wednesday morning.

Prem Kumar Rai, who has been recommended as the head of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, Top Bahadur Magar, who has been recommended as the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, and Kamala Parajuli, who has been recommended as the chairperson of the Women's Commission, have been sworn.

In the absence of a parliamentary hearing within 45 days of the recommendation, the recommended persons will be automatically appointed to the respective posts.

The swearing ceremony which was held at the President's residence in the presence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Cholendra Shamsher Rana, National Assembly Speaker Ganesh Timilsena and Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokharel.

After the President handed over the appointment letter, Chief Justice Jabra administered the oath of office to the Chief Commissioner and the Chairman. The other 27 members were sworn in by concerning Chief Commissioner and Chairman.

But, vice President and Speaker have boycotted the swearing in ceremony of the office bearers of the constitutional bodies amidst legal and political disputes.

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and Speaker Agni Sapkota were absent from the swearing-in ceremony held at the President's Office, Shital Niwas on Wednesday morning.

The government had recommended the appointment and sent the information to the federal parliament. However, Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota on Sunday withdrew the appointment recommendation saying that the hearing was not possible as the House of Representatives had been dissolved for the parliamentary hearing.

A meeting of the Constitutional Council held on December 15 had recommended 38 people in various bodies. The process was controversial as an ordinance was issued on the same day recommending the appointment and there was no hearing from the Parliamentary Hearing Committee.