The second phase local elections held yesterday were marred by more disturbances than the first phase. Polls were conducted in Provinces 1, 5 and 7 in spite of opposition from the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N). There were many more security incidents during the second round than in the first phase last month, with security agencies having to defuse many IEDs across areas where elections were held.

This was also the first time in Nepal’s history that an election was held in the midst of monsoon. And at least in a few locations polling was postponed or temporarily halted due to the weather.

But all in all, the voting process appears to have gone well. Polling was peaceful in most places. Although the RJP-N boycotted the elections, it did not seek to obstruct voting through violent means. There were rains in some parts but did not pose insurmountable problems. Electoral and security preparations seem to have been largely adequate.

After the voting concluded, the Election Commission estimated 70.50 percent voter turnout, slightly less than the May 14 vote when it was estimated to be 74 percent. But it was understandable given the fact that the polls were held in the middle of the monsoon.

Nonetheless, turnout in Madhesi-dominant areas was not as high. At a polling centre in Nawalparasi, only two votes were cast.

 There is a temptation in the political class and among sections of public opinion that the fact that significant numbers of people came out to vote even in the Tarai means they accept the constitution and so the state doesn’t need to do anything to address the concerns of the Madhesi parties. Thinking this, however, would be a mistake.

A high degree of anger towards the state continues to exist in the Tarai. Many people came out to vote despite having resentment towards the state, for they felt that participating in elections is a way of shaping future politics. Now that the second phase of elections is over, the government should continue to engage with the RJP-N and find ways to accommodate them before the third and last phase of local elections scheduled for September 18.

Just like in 2013 general elections and the first phase of local polls, the Army was deployed for security during yesterday’s voting. It is as though parties consider it a normal phenomenon. But as Nepal moves towards a federal system, politicians should rethink deployment of the Army during elections. The proper role of the Army is to deal with external threats, not to police its own population. And recent elections have set a bad precedent.

Furthermore, the constitution says that the Army can be mobilised only at the recommendation of the National Security Council. This provision was not followed during the recent elections. As Nepal stabilises, the task of internal security should be strictly limited to civil police.