Nepal proposes charter change ahead of polls

Nepal's government on Tuesday registered a new amendment bill to its controversial constitution in a bid to persuade all political parties to take part in long-delayed local elections which is scheduled in May .

Parties representing the Madhesi ethnic group have refused to take part in elections without an amendment to the constitution, while the largest opposition party has refused to back any charter changes.

The new bill skirts the contentious issue of redrawing federal boundaries -- the central Madhesi demand -- instead proposing to set up a commission to recommend changes to the country's proposed provinces.