Nepal: CPN-UML insists on holding local-level elections in single phase

The main opposition Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), also known as CPN-UML, has refused the idea of holding the local-level elections in two phases and insisted that it must be held in a single phase.

This development comes at a time when ruling coalition parties are pitching for two-phase polls owing to Morcha's stand that it wouldn't participate in elections unless their demands were met through constitutional amendment.

The UML's standing committee meeting reviewed the elections on Monday and concluded that the party would not support the idea of conducting elections in two phases as it was being proposed to extend the tenure of the government.

"The local polls should be held across the country on May 14. This is a pre-arranged decision of the party and the UML would not support anything against it," The Kathmandu Post quoted UML's publicity department chief Yogesh Bhattarai, as saying after the meeting.

The meeting also discussed the government's preparation to amend the constitution that aims at curtailing the rights of local entities. UML said it does not support such proposals too.

"The Prime Minister has not held any clause-wise and deep deliberations pertaining to the constitutional amendment with the UML. On the contrary, PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal's claims that consensus has been forged with the UML is utterly wrong. We appeal to the general public not to be misled by such baseless rumours," said a statement issued after the meeting.

The CPN-UML's acting chairman Bam Dev Gautam presided over the meeting as incumbent chairman K.P. Sharma Oli has gone to Thailand for medical check-up.