Date Fixed
Although the date for elections is fixed, how Terai behaves in next few months will be crucial for holding the credible polls
 |
CEC Pokhrel : Tough Task Ahead |
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
After months of dithering, the government finally fixes the date for Constituent Assembly (CA) elections – on November 22 On June 24, the cabinet meeting finally made that long-awaited decision by coming up with a date for elections.
However, fixing date is only a first step. Creating the political and security situation favorable for free, fair and fearless elections are pre-requisites, which the government must fulfill if the elections are to materialize.
Just like the UNMIN said, in response to decision of fixing the date, a date is necessary, but not in itself sufficient. "The parties must now put forward a realistic plan and timetable to achieve rapid progress on simultaneous fronts, both technical and logistical as well as on political and security issues," it said.
A few days ago, former prime minister and president of Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) Surya Bahadur Thapa, too, had said that the major players (PM Koirala, Prachanda and Madhav Nepal, according to him) must have unity in action and thought geared towards holding the credible polls. Otherwise, one cannot believe it will happen, he said.
The cabinet decision to fix the date had come in the week of repeated pleas by the Election Commission and other stakeholders. Earlier, the CA elections were scheduled to be held in mid-June but could not take place after Election Commission expressed inability to hold it due to lack of electoral legislations and law and order.
"Now that a date has been set for the election, it is essential that all parties commit themselves to addressing the considerable challenges that remain in order to create a free and fair atmosphere for the ballot," the UNMIN said.
It most probably referred to ongoing unrest in the southern plains where over nine armed outfits are operating. Tens of millions of Nepalis residing in these areas are held hostage to constant terror, violence, bandhs, abductions, intimidations, threats and so on. They are not at all in a mental stage where they can think clearly and coolly about the impending CA elections.
Home Minister Krishna Sitaula has vowed that the government will intensify its security mechanism after the fixation of polls date. It is yet to be seen, whether he keeps his word this time.
But initial signs are not encouraging. A day after election date was announced, Terai witnessed surge in bandhs. The Maoists imposed three-day bandh in Saptari, Sunsari and Morang district protesting the killing of their Saptari in charge Gobinda Chaudhary by JTMM-Goit cadres. After Maoist activists set four cargo trucks to fire destroying goods worth tens of millions of rupees in Rupani of Saptari, the cargo entrepreneurs have announced indefinite strike.
Birgunj has turned into a garrison city with security fortifications surrounding it. And yet, the violence continues there as bomb explosions have become routine.
Besides, there are enough signs of increasing bitterness between Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) and Maoists. Each of them have demanded banning each other. MJF leaders met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala last week and demanded ban on Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) and sacking of Maoists from the government.
Prachanda, on the other hand, has said that his party will soon organize agitation in Madhes region to protest the spate of killings of Maoist workers and leaders. Prachanda said the agitation will be held in a peaceful manner by holding public meetings in various places. "The agitation is against the series of killings," he said. As things stand now, one cannot rule out more Gaur-like head on clashes between them.
"It is vital that the Interim Government continue to engage in real dialogue with historically marginalized groups - Madhesis, Janajatis, Dalits and women and others. This dialogue is essential to ensure that there is a broad consensus among all elements of the electorate on the electoral system.," the UNMIN has advised.
"Public security continues to be a fundamental challenge. This requires not just a plan for security at the time of the election itself, but the creation of conditions in all districts and villages which allow all parties to conduct their activities from now on without facing intimidation and violence."
Whether these suggestions will be heeded by the government and other stakeholders remain uncertain.
