Unity For Successful CA Polls

Yuba Nath Lamsal

The Election Commission has published the schedule for the election to the constituent assembly (CA) slated for November 22. Following this, the election fervour is slowly gaining momentum. With the date for the election coming closer, the political parties, which are the main stakeholders, are expected to gear up their activities to mobilise and educate the people about the polls.However, the speed with which the political parties are moving ahead with the electioneering process has been slow, despite their demand and commitment to hold the election in time and in a free and fair manner. Even after the publication of the election programme, the political parties have not started their election campaign. It could be partially due to the weather condition. But more than that, the parties are not confident of their strength and are weighing the pros and cons of the current situation before going to the people.

Historic process

Elections are the bedrock of a democratic polity. It is through an election that people exercise their sovereign right and choose their representatives to rule. Moreover, the constituent assembly election is a historic process in Nepal. It is a process that will enable the people to participate in the constitution-making process. Thus, the political parties now need to go to the people with their political programmes to mobilise and educate the voters so that there is better participation of the people. But before doing that, the eight political parties that are in the government must ensure a conducive atmosphere for the election. At present, the law and order situation in some Terai districts is not satisfactory. Even officials who are to conduct the polls have not felt safe and secure. Without ensuring their full security, the officials many not be able to go to the polling stations. Even workers of the different political parties are hesitant to go to the villages. Thus, this situation may affect free, fair and credible election. Against this background, the first and foremost duty of the government and the eight political parties is to maintain strict law and order and improve the security situation in the country. At present, some groups in the Terai have launched an agitation, and a few of them have been carrying out criminal activities in the name of a political movement. The Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum (MJF) is one of them, and it has launched a political agitation demanding more share for the Terai people in the political and social sectors.

Most of the demands of the MRF have already been addressed which have also been incorporated in the interim constitution. The major demands of the MRF include seats and share in the constituent assembly on the basis of the population, and a federal system of governance. Both these demands have been addressed as the government and the eight political parties have agreed to go for a federal system and increase the seats in the constituent assembly on the basis of population. So the MJF now needs to stop all forms of protests and concentrate on the constituent assembly election.Certain militant groups in the Terai have been resorting to criminal activities like killing, kidnapping and extortion. These are criminal activities which must be dealt with in accordance with the law of the land. The government has already formed a negotiating team with representatives of the different political parties to hold talks with the various disgruntled groups and find an amicable solution to the problem. It has already invited all the groups for talks. However, some groups in the Terai have not responded to the government's invitation and continue with their violent and terrorist activities. Thus, the government has little option other than to use force, if necessary, to bring the situation under control and maintain security so that voters can participate in the election process without any kind of fear.

Nepal has witnessed three democratic elections and two elections to the local government after the political change in 1990. But the constituent assembly election is the first exercise of its kind in Nepal, and it is different from the previous elections. There will be two types of election - one for the candidates based on the first-pass-the-post system, and the other for the political parties on the basis of the proportional system. There will be two ballot papers and ballot boxes for the different systems of election. But the people are not used to and are not properly educated about this election system or the constituent assembly itself. We are running out of time, and the political parties must start their election campaign and go to the people to create an election fervour nationwide. As the nation is in its transitional phase, there is no alternative to the election. This is the only remedy to taking the nation out of the crisis and ensure peace, stability and security in the country. The constituent assembly election is a must for the larger interest of the nation and the people. It is not a question of who wins and who loses in the election. It is about brining stability to the country, democracy and prosperity. The victory of the nation and democracy lies in the peaceful and successful conduct of the election. Thus, the political parties, instead of blaming one another, must work together and go to the people in perfect political harmony for the success of the election. This is the time that requires stronger unity and more co-operation among the political parties than ever before. In this situation, the political parties must set aside their personal and partisan interests and ideological differences and work together to end the present transition and navigate the nation out of the crisis.

Mass meeting

Recently, the eight political parties decided to hold a joint mass meeting in the capital to start the election campaign, which would send a positive message of unity nationwide. This is, of course, a praiseworthy decision for which the political parties and leaders deserve appreciation. However, this spirit needs to prevail till the election is held so that the elections can be held successfully, and any attempt to sabotage the election process would be defeated. The nation is, thus, in need of more wisdom, flexibility and a strong sense of solidarity and co-operation on the part of political parties and the leaders. This is the desire of the people, and the leaders must listen and act accordingly. This alone will steer the nation ahead on the path of peace, stability and prosperity.

Source: The Rising Nepal, August 22, 2007

CA Polls: Reminder To Political Parties

Prem N. Kakkar

THE fanfare with which the date for the constituent assembly polls was announced is still vividly etched in the minds of the people in general. It was the great delay that had left the people rather confused as to whether the polls would ever be held. Though late, the affirmation of holding the polls came through the announcement of the date for it.

Deadlock

The delay, as is understandable, arose from the disagreement among the eight parties that are in the government. Often trivial issues were blown up, raising doubts and suspicions among the coalition members. That was rather unfortunate as the country was heading for the important landmark, that is, holding the CA election that would carve the future of the country.The hectic parleys of the top political leaders of the eight parties broke the deadlock, making it possible for the date to be finalised and announced. Now it is a mere 96 days for the set date to arrive and give the much-awaited opportunity for the people to vote. Yet, many things remain unclear about the said election. As is well known, the majority of the people are still unaware of the importance for going to the historic exercise. On this score, the political parties are yet to hit the campaign trail. It is not understood why the political parties are taking it so lightly when in rhetoric they sound very upbeat.

Unlike the general elections, the CA polls are markedly different. So the parties have to draw up a different strategy for it. Yet, the only thing that the parties are doing is saying publicly that if the polls cannot be held then it will prove disastrous for the country. Instead of making such remarks why don't all the parties make an effort to hold the election no matter what the situation.In the present situation, there are many problems confronting the government. Every partner in the government is equally responsible for the delay in resolving the various burning issues of the present time. It is peace that is a pre-condition for the CA polls to be held successfully. But, looking at the national scenario, there is very little to generate satisfaction. The problems in the Terai have to be solved at the earliest. As the delay goes on, many more armed groups have surfaced in the Terai region complicating the issue. The government has extended the olive branch, yet nothing concrete has been reached.

There is sincerity of the government in solving the problem, but there has been dissent from the coalition partners themselves. This is quite unfortunate. All the coalition partners should have, in fact, joined their heads together to resolve the problems. There are many genuine demands of the agitating groups which should be met in the best manner possible. The government talks team is doing the needful despite the fact that it is overburdened, and while sitting for talks with one or the other groups, it needs time due to lack of total homework. This aspect must receive utmost attention in the days to come. This must be realised by the eight party leaders that such a situation cannot be lengthened.What is equally disturbing is that neither the cabinet nor the leaders of the eight parties are meeting these days. When all want the unity among the eight parties to be maintained, then why this unusual phase? It is now run up to the CA polls, and the calls made to the parties to head for the villages and districts do no seem to be working. Even the chief election commissioner is surprised by the lack of enthusiasm of the political parties to hit the campaign trail. The Election Commission is reported to have made its preparations for the polls, but the parties are not doing the needful.

It is the political parties that must take up the issue seriously by immediately venturing to the villages and districts for the election campaign instead of remaining cooped up in the capital and making contradictory statements, which does not help in the creation of a new Nepal.

Seriousness

It is high time that the eight party leaders met and chalked out the future path. Only then will they be able to convince the electorate that they are doing the right thing and exhibit their unity. Concrete action is needed at the moment to ensure that everyone is seriously interested in having the CA polls held successfully. The people are important, and this must be genuinely realised by the political parties.

Source: The Rising Nepal, August 17, 2007

Cold feet

The government has fallen distinctly short of meeting its targets outlined in the Water Resources Strategy, 2002. For instance, the strategy envisioned generation of 820 MW of electricity through hydropower projects by 2007, but the existing maximum power generation capacity is a paltry 560 MW. Another goal was to increase the share of private investment in hydropower sector to 75%. As things stand, private sector involvement is limited to very small power plants. Other areas where the government made some progress but failed to meet its targets are water supply and sanitation, and irrigation.

The strategy, say its proponents, was not ambitious (one big hydropower project would have been enough to meet the country’s power needs). They are unanimous in their view that even though the decade-long Maoist insurgency erected countless hurdles for effective implementation of their outlined plans, the failure to meet even modest targets can by and large be attributed to the lack of political commitment and incompetent leadership. As usual, Nepali political leaders and top-level bureaucrats have proven themselves ultra-efficient in making big promises but found to be developing cold feet when it came to making a real difference. Building a new Nepal starts with the readiness on the part of those occupying responsible posts in the government to change their outmoded mindset that tends to encourage rewards for producing practically nothing of substance. Old habits die hard. And yet, unless Nepali leaders and bureaucrats are weaned off the culture of exalted sinecures, carving out a new Nepal will be that much more difficult.

Source: The Himalayan Times, August 17, 2007

The bottom line

Five days of disruption in the publication and distribution of The Himalayan Times and Annapurna Post by a Maoist trade union — All Nepal Communication, Press and Publication Workers Union — has ended after Wednesday’s stay order of the Patan Appellate Court directing the union to desist from obstructing the publication and distribution. The order will remain in force pending the final decision on the petition filed by the Asia Pacific Communication Associates (APCA) Nepal, the sole marketer for the two newspapers. The stay order is based on the court’s assessment that such obstruction violates the constitutional and legal right of the people to get information. At the same time, the court emphasised the need for amicable settlement of disputes. In another encouraging development on Wednesday, the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Federation of Trade Unions gave an undertaking that it would not disrupt the printing and distribution of newspapers and close media houses while fighting for the rights of workers. MP Salikram Jamakattel, president of the federation, said: “We will opt for other forms of protest”.

The stay order has come as a huge relief for some other media organisations, too, that are facing similar workers’ agitations. As the basis for the stay order is the public’s right to know, it should therefore imply that media owners should also respect that right, except within specific conditions beyond their control. No grounds should be provided for charges of double standards. For instance, cable TV operators have threatened to take all channels off the air if their demands are not met. In future, the kind of the recent closure of Nepal Samacharpatra for four days might also provoke public questions — and probably court petitions — about the violation of the right to know. The Appellate Court’s order has also put on the management of media houses the responsibility of “moving seriously to resolve disputes through mutual discussion, understanding and credible mediation”.

Both legal rights — the citizen’s right to know and the workers’ right to fight for their rights — should be protected. Here, understanding of each other’s difficulties and legitimate positions is the key to resolving all disputes. This means the workers should put forward reasonable demands from various angles — legality, workers’ legitimate needs, the management’s capacity to meet them and other pertinent circumstances. In fairness to the workers, the management of any company should be willing to listen to their demands and try its best to respond positively to all legitimate ones. Attention may also be drawn to the danger of complacency in this regard. The worker agitation at media houses also stresses the need for setting up an effective conflict resolution mechanism and improving worker-management relations. The bottom line is: the company should survive and go on. Otherwise, all sides, including society, would stand to lose — probably the workers even more.

Source: The Himalayan Times, August 17, 2007

State of the nation : Looking ahead to CA polls

Ajit NS Thapa


With less than 100 days left for the Constituent Assembly (CA) polls and in view of the ongoing turmoil, genuine doubts prevail over whether the polls will be held on the stipulated time. The recent havoc caused by the floods in the Tarai, the spate of transport blockades and forced closures of businesses by multiple political, social and geographical groups demanding, among others, separate autonomous state within a federal structure; and the unabated killings of political workers, civil servants and ordinary citizens of hill origin by non-descript groups masquerading themselves as the champions of the rights of the Madhesi people have left the nation devastated.

To add fuel to fire, the Maoists’ recently concluded plenum, which among others, has demanded the declaration of republic prior to the elections and that the CA members should be elected on proportional representation rather than through the mixed system (earlier agreed upon by the eight party alliance), has further muddled the prospects for the November 22 elections. As if this were not enough, the recent raid and looting of arms by a group of seemingly disgruntled Maoists from a police post in Nuwakot has raised suspicion of Maoists intent on the polls.

Furthermore, the lawlessness and criminal activities perpetrated by the Young Communist League (YCL) has severely dented the credibility of the Maoists. While the entire nation is suffering under the deteriorating law and order situation, the present eight-party government appears unfazed and conducts itself on a “business as usual” mode. There is no sense of urgency and purpose and no serious efforts (other than empty speeches) made towards making the public feel secure. The nation is caught up in a whirlwind of violence, blockades, strikes and demonstrations conducted by diverse groups with a multiplicity of demands.

However, on introspection, even this bleak scenario has a silver lining when one thinks of the tremendous and unprecedented outburst of enthusiasm and energy emanating from so many quarters to demonstrate their unique identity and demand their rightful place in society. Unfortunately, there are negative aspects of this development and this is manifested in the ready adoption of the culture of violence as a means to redress one’s grievances. Although the government has been engaged in negotiations with various groups such as the Madhesi Janadhihkar Forum (MJF), the Chure-Bhavar group and the Federation of Indigenous Nationalities to settle their demands, it has hardly succeeded in bringing them to a successful conclusion.

What the government sorely misses is a comprehensive strategy, adequate homework and consultation among the eight parties in the alliance. However, we could indeed have the Constituent Assembly elections and bring about the much desired peace and political stability if the alliance were to focus on the following issues: a) Adherence to the mandate of Jana Andolan II — the establishment of a fully functioning democracy with or without ceremonial monarchy. b) Restructuring of Nepal into appropriate numbers of self-ruled states on a federal setup. State formation would encompass such criteria as population, ethnicity, language, geography and economic self-sufficiency. c) As Nepal is dependent on the international community for its survival and development, it should seek their close co-operation in making CA polls a success. India must help Nepal settle the Tarai unrest through enlightened intervention and also help make Nepal’s internal security apparatus effective by blocking the entry of criminal elements across the porous border. d) Strengthen security situation for holding free and fair elections. The eight party alliance must rethink its original strategy of keeping the Army behind the barracks and recruit temporary security personnel to boost our police and Armed Police Force. Using the army would be the most effective (costwise, too) to provide adequate security for the polls. The Maoists should be less sceptical about this since the army is now fully under the control of a democratic regime and not under the monarch. e) The Maoists must exhibit sincerity in joining mainstream politics. Towards this end, it must rein in the misdirected and unlawful activities of the Young Communist League in order to win the hearts and minds of the people.

Our country is a land of terrific people, great places and tremendous potential — all that now look for is peace and stability. Our leaders must rise to the occasion and put aside their partisan interests for the larger benefit of the nation. At this critical juncture in our history, it would be wise if we were to follow the wisdom propounded by late BP Koirala. “In a period of national crisis, national interest is best served by the coming together of all stakeholders in

Source: The Himalayan Times, August 17, 2007