The Local Body Restructuring Commission (LBRC), which was formed in March to determine the number of village and municipal councils, has hinted that it might not be able to complete its task by August—the time by which the Election Commission (EC) will need its report if local body elections were to be conducted in December.

The commission’s recommendation is key to drafting laws for holding local body elections.

On Tuesday, LBRC Chairman Balananda Poudel informed the State Affairs Committee (SAC) of Parliament that the commission has formed eight different working groups and completed first round of work. However, he stressed that the commission would not be working to complete its work in a hurry.

Delay in finalising the report by the LBRC could hit the government’s plan to hold local body elections in December.

As per Article 56 (5) of the Constitution of Nepal, the Local Body Restructuring Commission is mandated to delineate the number, boundary and economic potential of village councils, municipalities and special, protected and autonomous regions.

Technically, the commission should have submitted its report in March.

The commission is mandated to recommend restructuring of local bodies; it is not authorised to divide the existing districts.

For the Election Commission to hold local body elections in December, it will require the report of the LBRC by August, as it has already said it will need at least 120 days after the law for holding the local body elections comes into force for the preparatory works.

In an interview early this week, Election Commissioner Ila Sharma told the Post that the EC “is waiting for the Local Body Restructuring Commission’s report to finalise the Local Level Election Procedure Act”.

When asked, LBRC Chairman Poudel categorically told the Post that it was impossible to complete its task and prepare the report by August.

“Ours is not some routine desk work that can be accelerated as per the need,” Poudel told the Post, in an oblique reference to the pressure the commission has come under following the government announcement to hold local body polls in December. “We have to work closely with the political parties and the government—something that is not easy,” he added.