The government is considering writing a letter to the Election Commission (EC) requesting it to make preparations for the local elections by giving a deadline, according to a senior leader of the ruling CPN (Maoist Centre).

Maoist Centre Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who met Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav on Thursday, told the Post that he had proposed a middle ground to help the EC make necessary arrangements for the local polls as the new constitution is silent on whether the government or the EC should declare the poll date. “As per the past experiences and tradition, the government can announce the poll date. But is the best option at the moment.”

“The government may write a letter to the EC requesting it to make preparations for the local body elections within a given time frame [by May, 2017],” Shrestha posted on his twitter handle.

A provision of the new Election Commission Bill, which is currently under discussion at the Parliamentary State Affairs Committee, has vested the government with the authority to announce the election date.

“The delay in endorsing the Election Commission Bill from Parliament has affected EC’s preparations for the local elections. So, it would be appropriate that the Cabinet send a letter to the EC with a certain timeframe for holding the elections,” said Shrestha with a proposal.

“Once the bill is enacted into the law, the authorised agency could then announce the election date within the deadline set by the government.”

Shrestha said he would discuss the matter with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the time is ticking away for holding the local elections by April-May, 2017.

EC chief Yadav confirmed the receipt of Shrestha’s proposal which he believes is a message from the government.

The EC has long been asking the government and Parliament to provide it necessary laws to hold the upcoming elections as per the new constitution. However, the House has not endorsed any of the five election-related bills.

Election Commissioner Ila Sharma said in the lack of election-related bills, Shrestha’s proposal would be helpful to ensure the local elections. “Once we are given a deadline, we can tell the government whether holding elections within that timeframe is possible,” she said.

In a draft bill sent to the government, the EC has sought an authority to announce the poll date. Many lawmakers stood in favour of allowing the EC to fix the poll date during discussion at the House committee.

As per the new constitution, the EC shall, subject to the Constitution and other laws, conduct, supervise, direct and control the election of the President, the Vice President, Federal Parliament, Provincial assemblies, and local bodies. “So, as per the spirit of the constitution, it is better to give EC authority to announce poll date,” said Sharma.