Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed the Election Commission (EC) to start preparations for holding local level elections in line with what is determined after restructuring of local bodies.

PM Dahal’s directive to the EC comes amid calls from his key coalition party, the Nepali Congress, to either go for elections under existing structure or carve out at least 1,000 local units—almost double of the number proposed by the Local Body Restructuring Commission (LBRC).

PM Dahal, during his meeting with EC officials, said the LBRC will table its report by mid-October and elections will be held accordingly, read a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

The Maoist Centre-NC government is planning to hold local level elections by March.

PM Dahal also told the EC officials that the government has expedited consultations with all the political parties, aiming to hold the polls by the stipulated time.

“You (EC) have sought six months for preparations, but I assure you that there will be at least four months,” the statement quoted PM Dahal as telling EC officials.

Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said the EC was doing internal preparations for the elections and requested PM Dahal to provide it adequate time before announcing the dates.