The Election Commission (EC) has proposed with the government to hold local elections on May 18.
During a meeting between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and the officials of the Election Commission on Tuesday afternoon, the officials of the commission advised the government to hold the election on May 18.
Issuing a press statement, Spokesperson of the commission Shaligram Sharma Poudel informed that during the discussion, the EC officials have suggested the government hold the local level election by May 18.
Stating that the term of the local people’s representatives will end on May 19, the commission has said, “It is the constitutional responsibility of the government and the Election Commission to hold local level elections before the expiry of the term.”
On the occasion, the commission has clarified that the commission needs 120 days from the date of the announcement for election-related management and preparation. The commission is prepared to hold the local elections on the date proposed by the commission since it has been continuing the necessary work.
The statement issued by the EC states, “During the meeting, Prime Minister Deuba informed that the date of the election will be fixed after completing the necessary process to elect the local level representatives on the same date as proposed by the Government of Nepal.”
He also urged the Election Commission to make all necessary preparations to conduct the local level election in a free, fair and fearless environment and directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to arrange for necessary security.
Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said the EC has responsibilities as well as rights to conduct, supervise, direct and control the election of President, Vice-President, members of the National Assembly, members of the House of Representatives, members of the provincial assembly and members of the local level.
Stating that the election law has made a provision that the date of the election be fixed by the government of Nepal in consultation with the Election Commission, Chief Election Commissioner Thapaliya emphasised that the consultation, role and responsibilities of the Commission should be considered in relation to this constitutional and legal system.
He further clarified that there is no constitutional or legal provision that can extend the tenure of the local level representatives. There is no alternative to hold the election before the expiration of the term of the elected representatives at the local level, he added.
Thapaliya also informed that no provision of the existing law contradicted with the constitution to hold the local elections prior to May 19.
Stating that there is a legal provision that local elections can be held in one phase on in more than one phase, Thapaliya suggested to the government that holding elections in a single phase would be cost-effective and appropriate from all aspects.
During the meeting, Minister of Home Affairs Bal Krishna Khand, Minister of Information and Communication Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dilendra Prasad Badu, Attorney General, Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal and other senior officials were present.
Earlier, the commission had proposed the government to hold local level elections in one phase on April 27 and if holding the election in one phase was difficult, it could be held in two phases on May 5.
However, the ruling five-party coalition was not in favour of holding the election on the date proposed by the EC, citing that the local level election act contradicts the constitution. The ruling coalition had later proposed to hold all tier elections only in 2023.
But, following widespread criticism, the parties of the ruling alliance agreed to hold the local elections by mid-June.
Source : TRN,
