Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 — Multiparty Democracy Restored After Jana Andolan I

Full Verified Record

Promulgated on 9 November 1990 by King Birendra, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 restored multiparty democracy after the Jana Andolan I (People's Movement I) that toppled the Panchayat system. The constitution established: a constitutional monarchy (king remained head of state but power moved to elected government), multiparty parliament, fundamental rights including free speech and political organisation, an independent judiciary, and a Human Rights Commission. It was drafted by a commission appointed by the palace but heavily influenced by the political parties. The constitution lasted 17 years and oversaw Nepal's democratic consolidation — though also its fractious politics and ultimately the Maoist insurgency.

९ नोभेम्बर १९९० मा जारी गरिएको यो संविधानले जनआन्दोलनपछि बहुदलीय प्रजातन्त्र पुनर्स्थापित गर्यो। संवैधानिक राजतन्त्र, बहुदलीय संसद र मौलिक अधिकारहरू स्थापित भए।

Why it mattered

The 1990 constitution represented Nepal's second democratic transition in 40 years. It governed Nepal during its most turbulent period: the rise and fall of multiple governments in rapid succession, the Maoist insurgency that began in 1996, and the royal massacre of 2001. Its limitations — particularly the king's reserve powers — were exposed when Gyanendra seized direct rule in 2005.