One year on, polls the priority
Enacting constitution
Sep 20, 2016- As the country celebrates the first anniversary of the constitution delivered by the historic Constituent Assembly, the slow pace of its implementation and the delays in addressing the concerns of the Madhesi and Janajati communities through statute amendment have cast a shadow of uncertainty over the three layers of election that have to be held within the next 16 months.
When the constitution was promulgated last September, a significant chunk of the population opted to disown the document complaining of being marginalised. The cost of the disenchantment was huge: the months-long protests in the Tarai that resulted in more than 50 deaths, and a humanitarian crisis caused by India’s trade blockade blamed on the tense situation.
Accusing the previous KP Oli-led government of having a nonchalant approach to addressing the demands put forth by the disgruntled forces regarding citizenship issues, provincial boundaries, representation in the Upper House; the Maoist Centre and the Nepali Congress joined hands to put together a coalition government with a motto of national reconciliation, to be realised by a constitutional resettlement satisfying all sections of the Nepali society.
“We have held informal talks on the issues raised by the Madhes-based forces. We are committed to our cause as we know we cannot move ahead with elections if we do not settle the issue,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday also claimed that some sort of consensus with the Madhesi parties would be reached before the Dashain festival, which begins on October 8.
But as the Madhes-based parties continue to voice dissatisfaction at the delay in tabling an amendment proposal in Parliament, the polarising remarks made by the ruling and opposition parties have manifested doubts in
its execution. Several CPN-UML leaders have repeatedly questioned the rationale behind another amendment to the constitution.
“If consensus is reached, there is no problem since elections are the next priority. But the delay shows that political forces are running away from the people or their mandate. Common concerns are disregarded,” says Bipin Adhikari, a constitutional expert.
As talks with the disgruntled forces are stuck, questions arise whether the government has prepared itself to hold the local polls planned around March. Over 150 new laws are required to fully enact the statute, of which only 11 Acts were tabled in a year. And there is no single law related to the elections.
According to the Election Commission, it requires at least five new Acts and about four months to prepare for the polls. The major political parties are yet to arrive at consensus on the number and boundaries of the local units, which suggests that the task of holding the local polls by March looks increasingly onerous.
“Elections are the only solution to the current crisis. But things so far show the parties are shying away from the polls. We will lose a lot if we fail to hold all the three polls in the next 16 months,” said Adhikari.
Published: 20-09-2016 08:39
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