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BOOK REVIEW |
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BOOK REVIEW |
Election Anatomy Through detailed
analyses and cogent interpretations, the book discusses various aspects of the fourth
parliamentary polls By A CORRESSPONDENT The history of the democratization process in Nepal is just five decades old, but the country has experimented with various forms of political systems. In terms of the parliamentary process, the present constitution is the second based on the Westminster system. In 1959, Nepal had a parliamentary form of government that last 18 months. Although a non-party constitution was introduced in 1961, Nepalis continued to enjoy limited democracy for 30 years. Following the national referendum in 1979, reforms in the Panchayat system paved the way for direct elections to the national legislature. Over the last two decades, Nepalese citizens have had the opportunity to choose their representatives directly. Before the promulgation of the current constitution in 1990, elections were held twice on the basis of adult franchise. During the preceding two decades, elections were held indirectly through a formula that linked the lowest tier of the polity with the top. In this sense, the successful conclusion of the fourth parliamentary elections in 1999 — which is the third after the restoration of multiparty democracy — was a continuity of that process. With an aim to highlight various aspects of the exercise, the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS) has been studying the general elections held after the restoration of multiparty democracy in 1990. This is the fourth book in the series. In an attempt to assess and analyze the process and outcome of elections in the context of the overall political development of the country, the study is primarily based on press coverage, manifestos of the major political parties, books and reports. Along with analyzing these reports, the author also tries to put the opinions of the leaders of political parties in perspective. "With a firm belief that it is important for the friends of Nepal and for others interested in Nepal's democratic exercise to be aware of the problems relating to a free and fair electoral process, the IIDS has been studying the general elections held after the restoration of democracy in 1990," says Dr. Mohan Man Sainju, executive chairman of the IIDS, in his preface. Along with analyzing the electoral process of 1999, the book also highlights the elections of 1994 and the various governments formed during Nepal's experience with a hung parliament. A major highlight of the book is its thorough discussion of political turmoil and change of governments. The general objective of the study seems to be the presentation of an overall picture of the fourth parliamentary election. It focuses on the events leading to the election, the conduct of the exercise itself and the post-election scenario. At a time when researchers and scholars are in great need of information on the electoral experience of the country, the IIDS book will fulfill the requirement of many. From the pre-election environment to the preparations by various political parties, the book looks at all the aspects of the election. The book, divided into four chapters, discusses how the democratic process is evolving in Nepal. Although researchers have largely ignored the elections held during the Panchayat system, this book discusses political behavior and other elements central to the electoral process. The Fourth
Parliamentary Election |
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editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
