National 1 (Spotlight Weekly)

Planning The Polls

Despite the rising rhetorics and growing disputes among the political parties, holding elections seem inevitable

By A CORRESPONDENT

As leaders of other political parties are talking about the need to start negotiations (with the Maoists) before taking any decision on elections, prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, however, declared that he would announce the elections date next week.

“I will announce the elections next week after consultations with other political parties including the leaders of four parties in coalition,” said Deuba addressing a rally in Parbat district. “There is no option before us other than to announce the elections date.”

Deuba : Bent on holding election

While appointing Deuba as the prime minister, King Gyanendra had directed his government to start the process of holding free and fair elections for the House of Representatives by the end of April. Since it takes a couple of months to make arrangements for the elections, prime minister Deuba seems to be in the mood to announce the date for elections.

For the last two and a half years, Nepal is running without elected representatives. The country’s foreign development partners including the United States of America, European Union, United Kingdom and United Nations have all underscored the need for elected representatives.

The high commissioner of United Nations Human Rights Commission Louise Arbour, who visited Nepal this week, too, said that only elected government can prevent the violations of human rights effectively hinting towards the need of an accountable government.

Even as the international community is pressing for the rise of elected representatives, Nepal’s internal political forces seem unprepared to go for elections. “We are yet to decide the possibility of holding elections. This issue has not yet been discussed in the cabinet,” said deputy prime minister Bharat Mohan Adhikary. “We want to restore peace before making any decision on the elections.”

The president of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Pashupati Sumsher Rana and the general secretary of the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal are also stressing the need to restore peace before holding the elections. “Our priority should be to start the peaceful talks because elections cannot be held without peace,” said Madhav Kumar Nepal. Both the RPP and UML are partners in the ruling coalition led by Deuba who belongs to Nepali Congress (Democratic). Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) is the fourth partner of the coalition government.

“Our central committee will decide on our course of action vis-à-vis elections,” said Rana. Despite differences of opinions, prime minister Deuba seems be determined to hold the elections.

Following the public statement of Deuba to hold the elections, Nepali Congress (NC) president Girija Prasad Koirala, who has been constantly demanding the reinstatement of House of Representatives, said that the polls, at this juncture, could invite more bloodshed. “Since the Maoist problem is already an issue of international concern, we must ask support from our friends like the United States, United Nations, European Countries and our two neighbors to settle it,” said Koirala. “Nepal does not require mediation by any party but what we require is cooperation and support (in dealing with the Maoists).”

“Irrespective of the divergent opinions expressed by leaders of major parties, the ground situation indicates that there is going to be a major breakthrough within a couple of days. I think the elections will be held as prime minister Deuba said because he does not seem to be merely speaking his mind,” predicted a political analyst. “When all the international community, particularly the Americans and Europeans are stressing on the elections, it is not possible for any power to prevent it.”

At a time when leaders from Congress president Koirala to members of ruling alliance are opposing the holding of polls, there has to be something cooking for the prime minister Deuba to speak in favor of elections.

“Announcement of elections date would not mean that we would be closing the door for peaceful negotiations,” said Deuba. “The government is willing to sit with the Maoists whenever they come to the negotiation table.”

As such, no one needs be surprised if Deuba recommends dates for the new elections. But how is the election going to be held and who would take part in it are altogether different matters.