CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said on Thursday that Parliament could be revived if scheduled elections were postponed.

Stating that a ruling by the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday regarding separate ballot papers for federal and provincial elections under the first-past-the-post system “has alarmed us”, the former prime minister said the Constituent Assembly-turned-Parliament was dissolved in good faith as the nomination process had already moved forward for the scheduled polls.

“Constitutionally, Parliament’s term is until January 21 next year, but we stalled the function of the Legislature-Parliament as the election cycle had already moved forward,” said Dahal at a press meet organised by the left alliance of the CPN-UML and the Maoist Centre in the Capital. “If polls are deferred, everyone must take note that Parliament could be revived,” said Dahal.

Parliament held its last meeting on October 14, a week before the nomination filing date for FPTP candidates for the first phase of provincial and federal elections which are scheduled for November 26. The second phase polls are scheduled for December 7.

Wednesday’s SC ruling, asking the EC to ensure separate ballot papers for the provincial and federal polls under the direct election system has stoked concerns about the scheduled polls. The EC says November 26 polls could be affected if it were to print separate ballot papers.