LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE
The Kathmandu Post
1 December 2017
LET THE
PEOPLE DECIDE
The first phase of provincial and
federal election just concluded in 32 districts with minimal disturbances,
albeit a dozen security incidents took place in some districts. Early estimates
put the turnout at 65 percent which is low as compared to overall national
turnout, close to 75 percent for the local polls that took place in the summer.
Most of the districts in the first phase polls were relatively inaccessible and
mountainous. Few districts in the Midwestern region were relatively volatile
being traditional Maoist hotbed. Nonetheless, the voters did not seem to be
deterred by showing their desires to exercise their democratic rights. The
national turnout is expected to improve once the elections are held in valleys,
hills and Tarai districts in December 7.
Now, the major parties have
started concentrating their election campaign for the second phase polls,
despite incidents of bomb blasts and attack on candidates. An IED targeting
poll candidates is reported to have been exploded injuring nine persons in
Tulshipur (“IED blast in Tulshipur
leaves nine injured, November 29, Page 1). Such incident has started even
in the valley. Some anti-poll elements seem to be engaged in carrying out the
attacked. Does this indicate that a portion of the Nepali population is still not
happy with the ongoing political system? Do they want something different
political system other than the existing one? If this problem is not timely sorted out,
would that be a bigger problem in the coming days?
Looking at the ongoing anti-poll
incidents, the government seems to have arranged for proper security to ensure
free and fair upcoming federal and provincial polls, especially in the
sensitive areas (“ Govt plans to deploy 60,000
security forces in 8 districts” November 29, Page 3). Both the government
and the Election Commission should make an effort to convince the voters for
their security and safety on the polling day. Otherwise, the voters’ turnout in
the upcoming polls may be low.
Ray
Brien Banged
Maharajgunj
http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2017-12-01/regulate-prudently.html
