Nepal's major parties agree to have 11 states

Officials say leaders of Nepal's top three parties have agreed that the new constitution should include direct elections for president and the creation of 11 federal states.

The three parties control more than two-thirds of the 601-seat assembly, meaning their proposals are likely to be adopted. Their agreement announced Tuesday is expected to ease the way toward completing the much-delayed document.

Nepali Congress senior leader Ram Chandra Poudyal said the measures would be referred to the country's Constituent Assembly, which is supposed to finish writing the constitution by May 27.

The number of states, their names and whether their boundaries should be drawn along ethnic lines have been among the thorniest unresolved issues.

The president currently is chosen by the assembly.Officials say leaders of Nepal's top three parties have agreed that the new constitution should include direct elections for president and the creation of 11 federal states.

The three parties control more than two-thirds of the 601-seat assembly, meaning their proposals are likely to be adopted. Their agreement announced Tuesday is expected to ease the way toward completing the much-delayed document.

Nepali Congress senior leader Ram Chandra Poudyal said the measures would be referred to the country's Constituent Assembly, which is supposed to finish writing the constitution by May 27.

The number of states, their names and whether their boundaries should be drawn along ethnic lines have been among the thorniest unresolved issues.
The president currently is chosen by the assembly.