Hold local elections
The Himalayan Times
28
April 2016
Hold local elections
It has been almost eighteen years that the
elections of local bodies at the Village Development Committees (VDCs) level have
not been held due to lack of political commitment of the past governments and
the major political parties. This is very unfortunate for Nepal where all the political leaders claim to
the champions of people’s democracy. They continue to publicly saying that the
local body election should be held without wasting any more time. The concerned
ministers of the Oli led government do not also seem to hesitate to say that the
local bodies’ election will be held within one year. It has already completed
its six months in the office. However, looking at its ongoing political
performance, holding election of the local bodies seems to be merely a false
assurance “Civic polls not on govt priority list” (THT, 26 April, Page 1).
Even for the interim period, had this
election been held on time, most of the allocated development budget would have
been appropriately spent and the development works would have been timely
completed benefiting the local population. The absence of the elected local
bodies could be directly seen during the rehabilitation and reconstruction
programme of the post quake period. Millions of rupees allocated for the local
level development activities have been grossly misappropriated by the committee
formed by the government composed of the representatives of all the political
parties. Many quake victims are still living and languishing in the temporary
shelters and many of them have not even received any relief materials so far.
What a shame for the government and major political parties.
Before promulgating the new constitution,
all the major political parties had publicly announced that the local level election
would be held within six months. It has already been seven months since its
promulgation. According to the Election Commission, it needs Local Body
Election Procedure Act before holding local body election. Its draft was sent
to the parliament one and half year ago. So far, there has not been any
progress on it. Is there any vested interest of the major political parties not
to hold the local level election? If not, why don’t they show seriousness?
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
