Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Yagya Bahadur Thapa has hinted at possible deferral of the first phase of federal elections slated for November 26. He, however, said the second phase of election on December 7 will not be postponed.

At an interaction programme organised by Reporters Club in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Minister Thapa said the first phase elections slated on November 26 might be deferred to second phase date of December 7 due to recent political developments.

Thapa said government is making preparations to conduct federal and provincial elections on the same date and sought help from the opposition parties for the same. "Oppositions parties should help the government and should not doubt the government unnecessarily," he said.

Government had earlier decided to hold the two elections on the same date of November 26 but later decided to hold it in two phases—November 26 and December 7—after Election Commission expressed concerns over holding both polls on the same date due to logistical problems and weather conditions.