1st LD: New constitution promulgated in Nepal

Nepal formally adopted a new constitution on Sunday, the first full-fledged one in the Himalayan nation after it became a democratic republic in 2008.

At a ceremony held at the Constituent Assembly decorated with national flags, colorful balloons and flowers, President Ram Baran Yadav promulgated the long-awaited new constitution at the presence of politicians, lawmakers, foreign diplomats and government officials.

With the new charter, Nepal has institutionalized a democratic republic achieved through the people's popular movement in 2006 which toppled a 240-year monarchy. In the federal and secular country, there will be seven provinces each with its own legislature.

The constitution marked a major step forward for democracy in Nepal and provided the Nepalese with a great hope for a stable and prosperous country following a devastating earthquake on April 25, political observers said.

The Constituent Assembly endorsed the new statute by a overwhelming two-thirds majority on Wednesday.

Nepal had an interim constitution in 2007 and the Nepali parties started working on a new constitution in 2008.

The second Constituent Assembly was elected in November 2013 to promulgate the new constitution. Endi