Emergency & Elections
PRIME Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's categorical statement
that there would be no emergency during the general elections due for November 13th should
end all speculations and concerns expressed from different quarters regarding whether the
state of emergency and elections could go hand in hand. Back home from a nine-day visit to
Europe and Asia, Prime Minister Deuba told journalists that he would consult with all
those concerned including the political parties to see if the state of emergency needed to
be extended. But he clearly said that there would be no emergency once the candidates for
the general elections file their nomination and start campaigning. The emergency cannot
continue during the elections, he declared.This declaration should finally rest all
speculations vis-a-vis emergency and elections. There were concerns regarding the
electioneering and the need for candidates to go to voters to canvass support and the
state of emergency in the country imposed on November 26,2002, following the breaking away
from peace talks and resuming violence by Maoists. Mr. Deuba on Tuesday also referred to
this fact and rejected any idea of holding talks with them again. His view that the
security has improved over the past months is shared by the general public who have seen
the security forces making major gains against the Maoists. The success of the security
forces in neutralising Maoists in many parts of the country is easily noticed. It is
becoming clear that the Maoists are on the run.
The support extended by many countries to Nepal's fight
against terrorism has also lent a helping hand in this battle. That there is continued
support to this fight was illustrated also during Mr. Deuba's just-concluded visit of
Europe and of Thailand. The talks he had with his Belgium and Thai counterparts resulted
in the latter coming out with strong support to Nepal's ongoing battle against terrorism.
He received expressions of support from both Belgium as well as from European Commission
headquartered in Brussels that acknowledged the fact that Nepal's priority for now was to
maintain law and order. The assurance of continued moral and material support from Nepal's
friends reflects the desire of these countries to see the country back on the normal track
as soon as possible. Once that happens there will be no need for even discussing state of
emergency.
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