Opposition lawmakers on Friday accused the ruling Nepali Congress of delaying two laws necessary for holding the federal and provincial parliamentary elections. The Election Commission has urged the government to pass the bills immediately so that it may begin timely preparations for the polls.

In a meeting of the State Affairs Committee (SAC) of Parliament on Friday, lawmakers from the opposition parties and the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal accused the largest party of delaying endorsement of the laws.

As many as 18 Congress lawmakers have registered an amendment seeking permission for any person indicted in corruption to contest the elections. Many NC lawmakers who are members of the SAC were either absent from Friday’s meeting or did not furnish replies to the opposition MP’s questions.

NC lawmakers stand for a corruption convict to contest the elections after three years of the court verdict of their acquittal. The bill states the gap to be six years.

UML lawmaker Gangalal Tuladhar charged the NC with blocking the entire process of law endorsement that has immediate effect on election preparations. UML MPs have also spoken against the proposed provisions of “right to recall” and “no vote”.

If the NC continues to press for such leniency, said Tuladhar, it would mean that “the party is not in favour of timely elections”. Lawmaker from Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party Prem Suwal said his party would not support the NC lawmakers’ call.

He also opposed the idea of threshold. Parties have proposed a three percent margin for a force to be recognised as a national party.

Chitra Bahadur KC of the Rastriya Janamorcha said the NC was trying to derail the elections, which would be unacceptable. Those having criminal backgrounds and facing corruption charges should not allowed to contest the polls, he said.

RJP-N lawmaker Brijesh Kumar Gupta said election has become a costly affair, calling for reduction in the poll expenditures. “In this situation, only corrupt people can contest the polls,” he said.

Committee Chairman Dil Bahadur Gharti said the bills related to the elections would be forwarded to the House for approval soon. Parliament is likely to discuss the bills on Sunday.