A nine-day conference is under way in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, where an 825-member assembly is expected to ratify a new constitution. The Constituent Assembly began its meeting yesterday, after it was postponed three times this month. The assembly includes a broad range of regional delegates who will discuss and possibly amend a draft measure. They are also likely to provisionally adopt the constitution. Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said the gathering marks a historic moment for the country.

Nepal’s Supreme Court has issued a show cause notice to the government over the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly and the announcement of fresh elections .

The bench has also called for written clarification from the government with in ten days.

The single bench of the Apex court of Justice Tahir Ali Ansari has said a special bench should hear the matter as it bore serious constitutional questions and public concern and has drawn the attention of the Chief Justice towards the matter.

A writ was filed by advocate Santosh Basnet on Tuesday challenging the call for fresh elections .

"The announcement of fresh election by Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai following the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly on 27th midnight had raised questions on the legality and constitutionality .

The writ filed by the petitioner has said under article 63 of the Interim Constitution only relates to holding of the Constituent Assembly elections in 2008 an the same provision cannot be used to call another election.

He said that no new election would be possible giving the existing status of the Interim Constitution.

Article 63 of the Interim Constitution has not made any arrangement of holding Constituent Assembly Elections time to time or twice and tens of thousands citizens would be deprived of casting votes when the elections if held on November 22 for the next time as the sub-clause 7 of same Article has stated that the Nepali citizens having aged 18 within December 15, 2004 only has the right to vote .

Only if it is amended the rights of the citizens can be given , however with the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, the Parliament- legislature also ceased to exist. "

India is closely monitoring developments in Nepal. In response to a media query on the recent developments in Nepal, the External Affairs Spokesperson Mr Akbaruddin said in New Delhi today that it has been noted that the new Constitution could not be promulgated within the extended term of the Constitution Assembly.

Reposing confidence in the democratic commitment and wisdom of the people of Nepal which has led to considerable progress of the constitution making process, Mr. Akbaruddin expressed hope that the political parties of Nepal would continue to be guided by the spirit of consensus and peaceful dialogue in their efforts to transform Nepal into a stable, democratic and prosperous nation. He asserted that India stands ready to assist, according to the wishes of the people of Nepal.

In Nepal, the government has registered a Bill in the Parliament Secretariat on Sunday to shorten the procedure for promulgation of the new Constitution. Law Minister Brajesh Kumar Gupta registered the Bill to make amendments to Article 70 of the interim Constitution. With only thirty-six days to go before the deadline of promulgating the new Constitution, the political parties had agreed last week to shorten the procedure.

Meanwhile, the three main parties, UCPN ( Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML alongwith the Madhesi Alliance, Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha are holding another round of talks this evening in a bid to find a common ground in the disputed issues in the constitution.

The parties have already held two rounds since the morning. Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Chairman, Raj Kishore Yadav said that the parties have been holding, bilateral ,trilateral and meetings within the parties. 

While the meeting of the Constitutional Committee which was to meet on Sunday was deferred on the request of leaders who said that political parleys are on to find consensus on the disputed issues.