Kathmandu, March 22 -- Nepal's fringe parties have taken serious exception to the Election Commission's preparations to toughen the requirements for national party status through a revision in the Political Parties Act.

As per the existing Act, a party which secures three percent of valid votes cast across the country under the proportional representation category and wins at least one seat under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system is recognised as a national party.

The draft amendment bill released by the commission on Thursday expanded these requirements. It says in addition to securing three percent of the votes, a party must now field candidates in 70 percent of constituencies and maintain inclusive party structures at the central...