# Second Constituent Assembly Election (19 November 2013)

URL: https://allhistories.com/nepal/timeline/2013-second-constituent-assembly-election
Location: Nepal (nationwide)
Themes: Lumbini, Buddhism

On 19 November 2013 Nepal held elections for a second Constituent Assembly. Turnout was 79.82 percent of registered voters, a record that surpassed the 68.15 percent of 1991. The Nepali Congress won the largest share, 196 of 575 contested seats, followed by the CPN (UML) with 175 and the UCPN (Maoist) with 80. The poll took place a year later than first planned, after the first assembly failed. The Maoists, who had won 227 seats in 2008, lost most of their strength and their leader alleged fraud, although a party review later blamed the party's stance on federalism and an internal split. Some groups opposing the process attempted to disrupt it with strikes and bombs, but international observers broadly praised the vote. The result favoured parties sceptical of ethnic federalism and shifted the balance in constitutional talks. The assembly met in January 2014 and promulgated the constitution in September 2015. The 2013 poll therefore marked the turning point in the long transition. Voters had clearly tired of delay and wanted a constitution. At this point in the timeline (2013), the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal had President Ram Baran Yadav (23 July 2008 – 29 October 2015) as head of state, while Khil Raj Regmi, chair of the interim Council of Ministers (14 March 2013 – 11 February 2014) headed the government.

## Why it matters
The result moved power to parties that favoured a compromise constitution and ended the Maoists' post-war dominance.

Ruler at the Time: [Ram Baran Yadav](https://allhistories.com/nepal/rulers/ram-baran-yadav)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — 2013 Nepalese Constituent Assembly election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Nepalese_Constituent_Assembly_election)