As per the constitutional provision, three tiers of elections— local, provincial and parliamentary—must be held by January 2018, but the way politics is moving ahead, clouds of uncertainty loom over them. The main opposition CPN-UML and the Madhes-based parties do not seem convinced about the government holding all the elections by the set deadline.

Their readings, however, are different.

“The government doesn’t look serious about its election plan. We have just a few months left for the local elections. But the government is yet to start work on demarcation of local boundaries. Laws for holding polls are yet to come into place,” UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai told the Post. “The UML has sensed some sinister design in this delay aimed at extending the deadline of Parliament. Our party will not let it happen. We will go to the people to build pressure against such move.”

On the other hand, the Madhes-based parties believe none of the three major political parties—the Nepali Congress, the UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre)—want elections.

Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Vice Chairman Hridayesh Tripathi claimed that the governing parties and the main opposition want to extend the deadline of incumbent Parliament at least for a year. But nonetheless, these parties are under pressure from their own party cadres to conduct local polls without delay due to urgency to give broader legitimacy to the constitution.

“But three major parties want to put off parliamentary elections and extend the deadline of Parliament for at least a year. While the NC and the Maoist Centre are not in position to face Parliament, the UML appears apprehensive about possible defeat due to intraparty factionalism and its stance against demands of Madhesi and Janajati communities,” Tripathi told the Post.

He said that the Morcha wants parliamentary elections to take place as soon as possible. The Morcha is eager to play a constructive role to endorse the constitution amendment proposal to make conducive environment for election. “The Morcha is willing to compromise to resolve differences on the amendment proposal and pave the way for elections. But we are not seeing enough seriousness on the part of the government and the main opposition,” said Tripathi. 

Members of the ruling alliance said that the government is committed to holding elections within the constitutional deadline. According to them, the government plans to hold local elections by April-May.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s Chief Political Adviser Chakrapani Khanal claimed that non-cooperation from the UML and the Madhes-based parties has stopped the government from unveiling its concrete election plans. The government is considering making a last-ditch effort to bring the UML and Madhesi parties to consensus before announcing the dates for local elections.

 “What the UML is doing at present is something that is not expected from the main opposition. Such lowly politics from the main opposition won’t do any good to the country and people. The second largest party should play a constructive role in ending this political impasse by supporting the amendment bill. It will automatically open door for the elections,” Khanal told the Post.

Bring all parties on board for polls, President tells PM

KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has urged Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to rally support of all political parties to hold the elections in time.

It is important to bring all political parties on board to create a conducive environment for the elections, the President told the prime minister at a meeting in Sheetal Niwas on Sunday.

Prime Minister Dahal informed President Bhandari that the constitution amendment bill was registered in Parliament to incorporate  all sides to pave way for the elections, said Madhav Sharma, the President’s press advisor.

The prime minister also briefed the President about latest political development at the meeting. (PR)