Political parties in Nepal discuss holding local polls in single phase

Political Parties in Nepal on Friday discussed holding local level polls in a single phase during an all-party meet held at Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's official Baluwatar residence.

Dahal sought suggestions from party leaders to protect the ballot boxes during the first phase of polls.

He also asked for suggestions about the budget for which there is a constitution provision to bring on May 29.

The opposition Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) CPN-UML leader and Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav demanded for unilateral polls and rejected the proposal of holding the election in two phases.

UML Chief Whip Bhanubhakta Dhakal said his party is in favour of holding the local polls in a single phase.

He said the gap should not be long if the government was to hold the polls in two phases and the budget should not be brought in between the polls.

Dhakal stated that many leaders at the meeting were in favour of holding the local polls in a single phase.

Dahal ensured that his government would try to make the amendment proposal a document of national consensus till the last moment.

However, the proposal will be moved ahead for parliamentary process if the government's attempt fails.