Against the backdrop of a simmering political confrontation over the constitution amendment bill, the Kathmandu-based diplomatic community on Wednesday discussed the latest political situation, including prospects of elections in Nepal, during a meeting at the UN House.

During the meeting chaired by UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Valerie Jullian, diplomatic sources said,  many of the ambassadors and diplomats expressed fears that Nepal may head towards a political and 

constitutional crisis if the elections are not held as per the deadline. 

Ambassadors and diplomats from India, Australia, Britain, Brazil, Germany, UN, US, among others, expressed their views in the meeting. 

“A majority of the speakers in the meeting said the constitution amendment bill tabled by the government is a ‘positive step’ but the way it was rejected and objected raises question over its fate,” said a senior diplomat requesting anonymity.  

Diplomats expressed their concern that the growing confrontation over the 

constitution amendment proposal might affect the electoral process.

All six election-related laws, which are mandatory to give Elections Commission a framework for elections and other preparations, said another diplomat who was present in the meeting. 

While the Kathmandu-based diplomatic corps meet regularly to assess the evolving situation, Wednesday’s meeting came in the wake of the recent visit to Nepal by a UN electoral team to gain first-hand information on the prospect of elections.

The UN electoral panel is said to have raised questions over timely elections given the ongoing political standoff. The UN country office refused request to make comment on the outcome of the meeting. 

“Holding elections should be the top priority of the political parties but none of them look serious in this matter,” one ambassador told the Post. “The Election Commission has already stated clearly that it requires at least 180 days to make preparations for the polls even all the laws and logistics are in place.”