Leaders of the major political parties were in for a surprise on Friday when the Election Commission enquired them about the need for re-registration with the EC to carry out political activities.

Article 269 of the new constitution requires the parties to register themselves at the EC following the set legal

procedure even for publicity and other organisational activities. Although the constitutions since 1990 required a political party to be registered to contest elections, the new constitution makes it mandatory even for conducting organisational activities.

Election Commissioner

Ila Sharma told the Post that they had invited senior leaders of the parties that have participated in the elections for long for clarity on the need for re-registration.

“We sought to know the perception of the political parties over the provision of registering themselves at the EC for organisational purpose,” said Sharma.

According to the EC, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML Vice-chairman Bam Dev Gautam, CPN (Maoist-Centre) Vice-chairman Narayan

Kaji Shrestha, UML leader and former Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Nembang and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chair Pashupati Shumsher Rana were among those who attended the meeting.

Other leaders participating in the meeting were

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Loktantrik) Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Ganatantrik) chief Raj Kishor Yadav, CPN (ML) General Secretary CP Mainali and Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato.

UML leader Nembang said that the parties could not express clear views regarding the constitutional provision as they needed time to

prepare their official positions. “The EC’s concern is serious. We told the commission that we will give our opinion in the next meeting,” he said. The EC will hold another meeting with the parties on September 26.

According to a senior

EC official, leaders of the major parties seemed to be feeling the heat of possibly having to register at the EC as if they were newly launched parties. A senior leader of a

major party told the Post

that the constitutional provision was for setting up a

system for managing the parties, adding that it was the court’s job to interpret the constitution.

As per the constitution, the parties should submit their statutes, election manifestos and other necessary documents for registration. The parties also need to have democratic statutes and regulations to be eligible for recognition by the EC. A party has to re-elect its federal and provincial leaderships at least once in five years.

The parties are also required to ensure inclusive representation at various layers of organisation. A political party whose name, objectives, symbol and flag promote religious and communal disharmony cannot be listed.