Nepal defers local polls to June 23 over Madhesis' demands

In a bid to ensure participation of agitating Madhes-based parties in the second phase of the local polls, the Nepal government on Monday postponed the polling date from June 14 to June 23.

A Cabinet meeting decided to defer the polls to ensure participation of those left out in the first phase of voting on May 14, Nepal government spokesperson Surendra Kari said.

As per the Cabinet decision, some provisions in the electoral provisions will be amended to fast-track registration of Madhes-based parties and allot election symbols.

However, the government is silent over the two key demands of the these parties -- amendment in the new Constitution to make it more Madhes-friendly and inclusive and also to increase the number of local units in Terai/Madhes region.

After repeatedly failing to amend the Constitution, the government had decided to increase the numbers of local units in Terai/Madhes by 22, which was stayed by the Supreme Court.

In the absence of any development on the two demands, it is not clear whether the Madhes political parties will participate in the June 23 polls.

The Cabinet has also decided to request the Supreme Court to vacate its interim order against increasing the number of local units in Terai/Madhes region.

The polls are taking place after two decade.

On Sunday, at a meeting between ruling, opposition and Madhes parties, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda proposed to defer the polls.

--IANS

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