Kathmandu, April 21:

UCPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' Saturday said that proportional electoral system would be ensured for the oppressed communities like the dalits.

The former Prime Minster affirmed this while receiving a 20-point memorandum from a team of United Dalit Political Struggle Committee (UDPSC) at his residence in Lazimpat.

"Although the parties have yet to agree on electoral system, we are for adopting a proportional electoral system for the sake of backwanrd communities like the dalit, and it would be easy for us if the dalit community carries on its movement for the same," he said.

Chairman Prachanda said that his party was committed to empower the dalits with their rights and claimed that the new constitution would address the problems of the oppressed community. "Ever since the people's war, we have been for special rights to the dalit and we are so even at present," Prachanda assured.

Ranendra Baraili, co-coordinator of Nepal Dalit Liberation Front, said that the memorandum had 20 demands that included fully proportionate electoral system, implementation of touchability free country and guarantee of special rights to the dalit in the new constitution.

Earlier, the UDPSC had submitted the 20-point memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, Constituent Assembly chairman Subas Nembang and Constitutional Committee chairman Nilambar Acharya.