Nepal’s interim government on Friday urged political parties not to boycott long-awaited elections set for November that have raised hopes of stability in the deeply divided Himalayan nation.
Nepal’s chief justice, who heads the caretaker government, called on parties to meet officials and resolve any concerns about the November 19 polls, amid fears of a boycott.
“Our main task is to hold elections in a free and fearless manner,” chief justice Khilraj Regmi said in a nationally televised speech.
“Therefore especially I urge the political parties to discuss their issues with us and help us create an election friendly environment,” Regmi said.
The interim government set a date for the polls late on Thursday following months of political deadlock that has hampered the country’s recovery after a decade-long civil war.
Although the announcement raised hopes for stability in the impoverished nation, analysts voiced concerns that elections, which were last held in 2008, could still be scuppered.
Political commentator Tilak Pathak said it was unclear whether all of the major parties would agree to take part, since they were focused on fixing internal party problems.
“All major parties are battling with internal factionalism and dissents,” Pathak told AFP.
“Although cadres of other parties have recently joined (the) Maoists, its leaders have said that the organisational structure is in shambles,” he said.
Nepalese politics has operated in a legislative vacuum since May 2012 when the old parliament was dissolved without producing a constitution, aimed at healing deep divisions over the conflict, amid political disagreements.
Chief Justice Regmi was appointed in March to head an interim government tasked with steering the country towards elections after the failure to break the deadlock over the constitution.
Polls were scheduled for June this year but were delayed after the main political parties failed to agree on some crucial electoral issues, such as whether to allow candidates with criminal backgrounds to run.
Thursday’s announcement came after the interim government assured parties their concerns would be incorporated into a new amendment on election laws, which was approved by President Ram Baran Yadav on Friday.
Former Maoist prime minister Baburam Bhattarai, whose party won the largest share of votes at the last elections, welcomed the upcoming poll.
“Now all political parties should focus on ensuring a free and fair election,” Bhattarai said.
But three opposition leaders, representing 42 smaller political groupings, late Thursday threatened a boycott, saying the interim government had not consulted them before announcing the date.
Newspaper editor Gunaraj Luitel was confident the elections would go ahead, saying ordinary Nepalis were desperate for stability to allow the country to rebuild after the 10-year war.
“Elections will take place no matter what. In the past, we have seen boycotts and oppositions but the government conducted the polls,” said Luitel, editor in chief of Nepali language newspaper Annapurna Post.
“This time, the common people are desperate for elections because they hope that it will bring stability and prosperity in the country. People are tired of the politics of boycott.”
The United States, one of Nepal’s major donors, welcomed the announcement of a date calling it an “important step”.
“Since the dissolution of the previous constituent assembly more than a year ago, we have encouraged the government of Nepal to take this important step,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters on Thursday.
The Election Commission has proposed a 491-member Constituent Assembly and so far 139 parties have applied for registration in the polls.
Nepal’s civil war pitting Maoist rebels against government forces claimed more than 16,000 lives, before ending in 2006.
The toppling of the Hindu king in 2008 and the installation of a republic installed hope for stability, but political consensus has been elusive.
Nepal interim govt head appeals against poll boycott
