Keen Enthusiasm

THAT 62 political parties have applied for registration with the Election Commission (EC) by the deadline that closed Friday to take part in the constituent assembly election is an indication that the polls are being taken seriously by all. This is also proof that everyone believes that the CA polls will be the gateway to ending the uncertainties that are prevailing at the moment. It is evident that the CA polls will be a milestone in the march forward to creating a new Nepal. This is so because the elected CA will be responsible for framing the constitution of Nepal which will be all-inclusive.

This is the hope pinned on not only by the political parties but the people as well. Hereon, it may be worthwhile remembering that the date for the CA election is yet to be announced. Though the date had been fixed for June 20, due to technical and logistical problems, the EC had some time back said it needed a little over a hundred days to prepare for the polls. This started the ball rolling for a new CA poll date. But this has not happened because the eight political parties are yet to sit down to sort out the issues.

As per the recent developments, there is every hope that the said gathering will take place soon to give a passage to the problem. This is necessary so that the uncertainty and confusion in the minds of the people can be removed. The eight political parties who are participants in the government have to act fast to ally the fears that the polls will not be held. The eight political parties, too, have to be earnest and not make remarks which create confusion among the people. The interim government is there to announce the date for the polls, but for this the eight political parties have to arrive at a concrete agreement and end the confusion. The interest of the political parties in the country to get themselves registered is enough evidence that everyone wants the elections to take place as quickly as possible.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Commitment To The Polls

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has articulated his firm commitment to holding the polls to the constituent assembly and maintained that the date for the polls would be announced soon after consultation with the other political leaders. Giving his views in unambiguous terms, Prime Minister Koirala mentioned that the election to the constituent assembly should be held to address the concerns as well as aspirations of the people, for which there should be no doubts and apprehension.

The views held by the prime minister seek to confirm that the government is committed to conducting the polls to the constituent assembly, and any confusions and contradictions regarding the issue should not be allowed to prejudice the political environment. The disparate utterances that have come to the fore these days from different political corners have lent the impression that no unanimity of views are held by the political stakeholders regarding the polls. However, the pronouncements coming from the eight party leaders on Friday indicate that coherence of views does exist among the leaders.

Moreover, the political leadership in the country was committed to forging unanimity to hold the polls to the constituent assembly and bring a new era of peace, democracy and prosperity in the country. The meeting of the eight party leaders that will be held soon will decide about the polls and allay all the confusions pertaining to it. It is encouraging to note that the Election Commission has accelerated the tempo of preparing for the polls as this is very crucial to take peace building and the democratisation process forward . The legal procedure for the polls should be defined to facilitate the process. Prime Minister Koirala commitment to conduct the election to the constituent assembly to enact a new constitution should be hailed and reciprocated as delaying the polls could mean a prolonged transition phase in the country?s politics. Some elements are obviously not in favour of the smooth organisation and implementation of the polls, and they may seek to disturb the process if the fluid and uncertain situation continues to exist in the country.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Alternative Energy Promotion Opportunities

THAT 62 political parties have applied for registration with the Election Commission (EC) by the deadline that closed Friday to take part in the constituent assembly election is an indication that the polls are being taken seriously by all. This is also proof that everyone believes that the CA polls will be the gateway to ending the uncertainties that are prevailing at the moment. It is evident that the CA polls will be a milestone in the march forward to creating a new Nepal. This is so because the elected CA will be responsible for framing the constitution of Nepal which will be all-inclusive. This is the hope pinned on not only by the political parties but the people as well. Hereon, it may be worthwhile remembering that the date for the CA election is yet to be announced.

Though the date had been fixed for June 20, due to technical and logistical problems, the EC had some time back said it needed a little over a hundred days to prepare for the polls. This started the ball rolling for a new CA poll date. But this has not happened because the eight political parties are yet to sit down to sort out the issues. As per the recent developments, there is every hope that the said gathering will take place soon to give a passage to the problem. This is necessary so that the uncertainty and confusion in the minds of the people can be removed. The eight political parties who are participants in the government have to act fast to ally the fears that the polls will not be held. The eight political parties, too, have to be earnest and not make remarks which create confusion among the people. The interim government is there to announce the date for the polls, but for this the eight political parties have to arrive at a concrete agreement and end the confusion. The interest of the political parties in the country to get themselves registered is enough evidence that everyone wants the elections to take place as quickly as possible.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Abandon Strikes

The unrest in Madhesh and Bhabar has not come to an end. The strikes and stoppage of work have been resorted to time and again. Though there has been a noticeable improvement in the law and order situation across the country, Madhesh and Bhabar are yet to return to normal. But what should be appreciated is that the Maoists have abandoned their armed pursuit of politics. They have committed not to pursue violence for any political ends. Moreover, they have joined the interim parliament and, consequently, the interim government - a long journey from conflict to conciliation. The problems that the country had faced due to the conflict have been resolved despite some minor aberrations and obstacles here and there. It is indeed an obligation on the part of the groups and organisations to learn from the examples set by the Maoists and renounce violence and agitational politics to pursue the cause of peace and harmonious coexistence.

However, the Madhesh and Bhabar have neither listened to the call for dialogue nor learned to refrain from indulging in agitational politics. They are tendentiously becoming used to calling transportation strikes and setting blockades along the highways as a result of which people travelling along the long route are forced to halt and be stranded for several days. Subsequent to the three-day strike called by the Madhesi Janadjhikar Forum last week, the strikes and agitation called by the Chure Bhabar Ekata Samaj in some of the districts from the central and eastern region has affected life seriously. What is disconcerting has been the death of an agitationist on Saturday in clashes with the armed police in eastern Terai. In the same way, several others were hurt. It will be relevant to note at least three dozen people have been killed in the movement called by the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum. Since the country has moved ahead towards addressing the needs and aspirations of the people and the date for the constituent assembly polls is being announced soon, all should bear patience and provide cooperation to the government in making the democratic exercise a success.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Peace Process Praised

THE interest of friendly countries and international agencies to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Nepal is evident. Despite the support and cooperation coming from them, it is clear that the Nepali people themselves know very well to resolve their own problems. It is the moral support that must be forthcoming from them in the Nepali people's endeavour to keep their house in order. In this, the support extended by the United Nations is praiseworthy. Its help has become very much a part of the ongoing peace process in the country. A year after the April uprising, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, in his Nepal report to the Security Council, said that Nepal's peace process has made rapid advances though questions remain about the registration of the arms and armies. He was referring to the complex questions regarding the monitoring of the arms and armed personnel. Herein, it may be worthwhile remembering that the first phase of the registration and storage of the weapons and combatants of the Maoists and the arms of the Nepal Army has been completed with the help of the United Nations.

He also said that the upcoming constituent assembly elections ought to be conducted in a manner that reflects the "genuine will" of the people. It must be noted that in all the political developments taking place in the country, the concerned political parties must also be praised as they have always gone for a consensus on contentious issues. Though there is a lull at the moment, it is hoped that the eight parties will sit down together and come up with decisions on the lingering question of fixing the date for the CA polls. Positive signals have emerged in the past few days that the eight parties will gather and discuss the various problems that have emerged. All the political leaders have suggested that the unity of the eight parties must be maintained in the present situation so that a safe path can lead to the elections. It is high time all the present issues were sorted out at the earliest so that the stage can be set for announcing the date of the polls. It is hoped that the eight party meeting will take place in a day or two so that the people will rest assured that things are moving as desired according to the mandate given to the parties with the success of Jana Andolan II last year.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007