The Election Commission (EC) has said it will be difficult to hold two elections—provincial and federal—on the same date. 

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday sought to know from EC officials whether it would be possible to hold both the elections together.

PM Deuba was discussing election related issues with Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav and Commissioners Narendra Dahal, Iswori Prasad Poudyal and Sudhir Kumar Shah on Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, Chief Secretary Rajendra Kishor Kshetri were also present. 

The EC officials made it clear to the prime minister that holding both the major polls will be difficult as the poll body is not only pressed for time but also lacks necessary laws and the Constituency Delimitation Commissions (CDC)’ report.

The country must elect provincial assemblies and House of Representatives by January 21 next year.

The EC had earlier proposed provincial elections in the third week of October and federal elections a month later, saying polls in some parts of the country would not be possible during winter. 

For the federal elections, the EC will need the CDC’s report. The term of the CDC, formed on July 20, was extended by 15 days on Tuesday. The CDC has to prepare a report downsizing the number of constituencies to 165 from the existing 240. 

The EC officials informed PM Deuba that federal elections could be held by the third week of November. 

They also said that the EC would discuss the possibility of holding both the polls together. 

PM Deuba told the EC officials that the government would take an appropriate decision on election date(s) after holding talks with major three parties.