Voters’ enthusiasm
The
Himalayan Times
18 May
2017
Voters’
enthusiasm
Last
week and the beginning of this week remained very exciting in the political
environment of Nepal. Finally, the Dahal
led government fulfilled its promise by holding first phase of local level
elections in three provinces after almost 20 years. Election Commission (EC)
also deserves appreciation for its incredible job of holding the elections in a
short period of time. Normally, it seeks at-least 120 days for overall
preparation. As said by it, 73 percent
of votes were cast with much enthusiasm. Except few a unfortunate incidents,
voting took place peacefully. All the voters are now anxiously waiting to hear
the final results of vote counting expecting to see their real representatives
elected and run the local government with extra-ordinary executive powers.
All
the TV channels, FM stations and other media are trying their best to transmit
the ongoing vote counting results regularly keeping in mind the eagerness of
the voters. Counting of votes are in full swing in all the 34 districts
“Counting of votes begins in 251 local levels, UML in front” (THT, March 16,
Page 1). So far, it is interesting to see that the main opposition party’s
mayoral candidates are leading in the major cities. However, the end result of
the total votes obtained by all the candidates are yet to come and it may take
few more days seeing the slow counting process. It may not be surprising for us
to see if the UML candidates will win the race in most of the places
considering the major political blunder made by Nepali Congress and Maoist
Centre at the onset of the election by registering impeachment bill against the
Chief Judge.
Also,
another interesting political event is on the way to take place. As agreed
between the NC and CPN-MC nine months ago, PM Dahal will hand over the
political helm to NC boss, Sher Bahadur Deuba in a few days’ time. It is hoped
that this time Dahal will not play any political game as cited by him during
his meeting with RJPN leaders “Dahal to hand over power to Deuba this week”
(THT, May 16, Page 1).
Rai Biren
Bangdel
Maharajgunj,
Kathmandu
