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Nepal elections in November

Ameet Dhakal

KATHMANDU: Major allies in the ruling eight-party coalition in Nepal have agreed to hold Constituent Assembly elections by the end of November instead of mid-June as has been mandated by the interim Constitution. At a meeting, the allies asked the Government to initiate the process for amending the interim Constitution so as to allow the deferment of the polls, in consultation with the Election Commission.

The polls were deferred after the Election Commission said it could not conduct them in June in the absence of necessary legal framework and preparations.

Dissatisfied with the alliance's decision, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has written a note of dissent. The party has maintained that the conduct of the polls would be uncertain unless the monarchy is abolished.

The Maoists argue that the King will try to sabotage the polls, as the elected Constituent Assembly is to decide the fate of the monarchy.

A senior alliance leader said the Maoist leadership has, however, promised to cooperate in holding the polls.

"They themselves will not work to disrupt the polls," he said.

The parties have also agreed to review the report submitted by the Election Constituency Delineation Commission, fulfilling the major demand of Madhesi lawmakers, who have been disrupting Parliament sessions.

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