The agreement signed between the government and Gen-G on November 24 mentions granting voting rights to Nepalis living abroad, direct and proportional inter-constituency voting, and the provision of 'NOTA' on the ballot paper.
What you should know
The government held discussions on Monday with second-tier leaders of political parties, the Election Commission, heads of security agencies, civil society leaders, and representatives of the Gen-G movement on voting from abroad, inter-constituency voting rights, and no vote.
The discussion concluded that there are technical difficulties in implementing these issues immediately.
These issues were brought forward during the agreement signed between the government and Gen-G on 24 Mangs. The agreement mentioned granting voting rights to Nepalis living abroad, direct and proportional inter-constituency voting, and the provision of 'NOTA' on the ballot paper. The government has held discussions with the parties, the Election Commission, and stakeholders in preparation for bringing a law to address these demands.
The government is trying to amend the law on these issues through an ordinance. However, with less than 2 and a half months left for the election, political parties have raised doubts about the government's plan to bring a law on these issues. The Election Commission has said that if the election method and technology are changed now, it will be difficult to hold the election on the scheduled date (21 Falgun).
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has organized a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to take the views of the parties and other stakeholders. In the discussion, political party leaders expressed their doubts about holding the election, saying that the government is on a path that is not practically possible to implement at this time. Government Education Minister Mahabir Pun and Gen-G representatives have warned not to think about holding the election if these issues are not addressed.
Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary Mahendra Yadav said that the law that the government is going to bring is good. ‘You have brought about three-four laws, that is good. It should be done. But is it possible in the 21st Falgun election? If the government conducts this election, it will be a matter of happiness for all political parties and Gen-G as well.’ Stating that the Karki-led government should focus on conducting the election on the scheduled date, Yadav opined that the parliament that will come out of the upcoming election should enact laws on three issues.
UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet had asked Prime Minister Karki why he brought such agendas through other means without discussing them with political parties and stakeholders in a timely manner. ‘The Prime Minister should have an open discussion with political parties instead of sending proposals through the back channel. We have reached an agreement with Gen-G on these issues, and we do not disagree with it in principle. If you are trying to send a message that we have made an agreement but these old political parties did not accept it, please do not think so. We agree with the agreement in principle, let the government implement it practically,' Basnet said.
NCP leader Barshaman Pun said that the commission should speak on whether it can be implemented or not when a law has been brought to address these three issues related to elections. 'Three issues have been raised since the past. Our party has supported the issue of citizens living abroad being allowed to vote. If everything cannot be done now, the Election Commission should speak on how much can be done,' Pun said, 'Let's bring a law to give voting rights to those living abroad and pilot it. Let's see if it is successful. But even then, if someone's intention or intention is to postpone the election, then we will not support it. Inter-district voting cannot be done directly, but it can be done proportionally. If they are trying to postpone the election on this pretext, then it will not be possible.'
NCP leader Rajendra Pandey mentioned that there are Nepalis in 178 countries but there are Nepali missions in only 44 countries and said, “Who will collect voter details in those places? How will we vote? What is the method of bringing the votes to Nepal?” He said that the government should not be in a hurry. “The ordinances and acts being brought now are not enough to prepare for the elections. Do not do anything that is not prepared,” Pandey said.
RSP leader Shishir Khanal said that he supports the government in taking forward the work that is practically possible. “I heard that it is not possible for Nepalis abroad to vote due to time. If today’s time does not ensure voting rights for citizens abroad, then at least make legal arrangements. We have heard that the Election Commission has said that inter-constituency voting is practically possible. If it is only a matter of political commitment, we are ready to give political commitment,” he said. RPP leader Rajendra Gurung argued that arrangements should be made for voting rights for Nepalis abroad.
Gen-G representative Bhavana Raut said that if it is not possible to give voting rights to Nepalis living abroad, then those living in the country should be given the right to vote within the constituency. She asked the party representatives, ‘Is there an agreement on proportional and direct voting for inter-district voting? If inter-district voting is not held this time too, it will be an insult to the blood of martyrs and injured people.’ She also warned that if the political parties and the government are not ready for this issue, there will be no election. ‘If this arrangement is not made, the government should raise its hand and say that elections are not our priority, we are not here to hold elections.’
The Election Commission has expressed dissatisfaction with the amendment of the election law at this time. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said that it is necessary to consider which issues will make the election easier or more difficult to hold elections on the scheduled date. ‘Now let’s consider which issues to enter or not to enter. The Commission has a huge workload. We are also busy preparing for the elections to the National Assembly along with the House of Representatives,’ Bhandari said.
He reminded that the Supreme Court had also prescribed the work to be done by the government, the commission and the legislature when it gave its order on granting voting rights to voters living abroad. He also said that it has been two and a half years since the commission prepared a draft law covering the right to vote for Nepali citizens living abroad, inter-district voting or 'no vote' and submitted it to the government. He expressed dissatisfaction that the government has not taken it forward even though the commission has done its job.
Although there has been much talk of granting voting rights to Nepali citizens living abroad, the necessary preparations have not been seen for it. As the voting day is approaching, the possibility of voting in exile is also diminishing. Although the commission did not clearly use the term 'not possible now' in the all-party meeting convened by the government, the statement of the Chief Commissioner indicated the same. 'Only when the government gives the method, it is a matter of technology and preparation. There is no law yet. Even if the law comes now, it is not possible,' said a commissioner participating in the meeting. 'We have already told the government that. We have given a clear indication of that in the all-party meeting today. If the election is to be held on 21 Falgun, then it cannot be done by adding new things.'
The Commission has also rejected the proposal made by political parties to change the schedule for submitting the closed list of candidates towards the proportional election system. Chief Commissioner Bhandari urged not to move towards it, saying that changing the scheduled schedule would affect the election itself. He urged the government to analyze the possible clash between new and old political forces and formulate the necessary security strategy, saying that this time the conflict between new and old political forces could pose a different security challenge than in the past.
Prime Minister Sushila Karki, despite listening to everyone, did not express her clear opinion on the amendment to the election law. Stating that there was no doubt that two or three demands raised by Gen-G should be met, she also indicated the pressure of time. Education Minister Mahabir Pun had questioned the Prime Minister himself about why he did not speak about giving the right to vote to Nepalis living abroad. When responding to media persons at the gate to the Prime Minister's Office, he raised questions on the government itself. 'There is no way that Nepalis living abroad will be allowed to vote. "What campaigns should Nepalis living abroad launch from their respective places?" Minister Pun said. "The style of the government and leaders here is not visible."
