Avoiding local election a blunder, forge consensus for it (Commentary)

Narayan Prasad Ghimire / Kathmandu : Thanks to the new constitution that stipulated the time to bring the annual budget, the programme to which, Nepal came across many lousy incidents as the midnight brawl in the parliament- especially after second people’s movement. In line with the constitutional provision, the government is all set to bring the budget in the coming month. For this, the policy and programmes have been announced and endorsed. Among various issues, the pressing one incorporated in it is the election of local bodies within December.

It has raised debate now- how near, how far; how feasible and how arduous the election in the local bodies in the announced time. For more than one and half decade, Nepal has not seen elections in the local bodies. Despite holding two big elections- Constituent Assembly I and II, the political parties egregiously ignored the importance of the civic poll, which has direct bearing on the people. Reasons are abound- two major elections at central level elevated many leaders from local to the central politics; the hoary leaders in every political party remained formidable fearing the youths craving for leadership away; political and constitutional transitions rotating earlier around peace process dominated by the army integration, and later making of new constitution; various stirs as in Madhes and by the indigenous groups; split and reunification of political parties, and very recently the last year’s earthquake and the torturous border blockade. These incidents obviously contributed to push local election far away.

At a time the grassroots people are desperately waiting for their representatives, the political leaders simply with the stature of becoming VDC chairmen are picketing central offices of their parties, and strolling around Singha Durbar and Legislature-Parliament building in a bid to influence high level leaders and bureaucracy, but in vain. They too have the reason- when do we get the chance to become leaders in the absence of elections in local bodies? However, they have not exerted pressure on the party leadership to the extent they necessarily need to do.

Next, the people at local level, for lack of their representatives, are facing numerous hassles. To get basic service that can be delivered from VDC office, they have to reach the district headquarters. Here lies collusion- the ploy to deceive ordinary people are materialized resulting in the thriving of corruption. Although the big political parties, as per the strength/share in the central politics, once devised all-party mechanism to fill the gap at local level, these structures emerged so notorious and insatiable that they gulped the development budget, depriving the people of their rights and entitlements.

The need of local body election was pronounced much after a big vacuum following the unexpected dissolution of the first Constituent Assembly. But, no consensus was made at the central level to embrace the democratic exercise in the local body. Most of the big parties knew they could not spare well at grassroots level owning to eroding public trust on them. Later, they had to install the former Chief Justice as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers to hold the election to the second CA election, which, though changed the party’s strength, the political leaders again centered around it, and engaged in the making and felling of governments.

Yes, the issue of local body election has emerged with this background in place. If there is anything imperative to the country, its the local election. The periodic election is not only a fundamental pillar of functional democracy, it is a good opportunity for the political actors (parties) to exercise their power, bring people to their fold, and its the opportunity for the voters as well to adjudge the political leaders. It is high time the country cleared the messy environment in the local bodies installing people’s representatives. Thus, it is the most obvious need of the hour.

But, how feasible the local election is before the December? The major political party- Nepali Congress- has been accusing the government of bringing the policy and programmes without consulting it. Even the ruling partner UCPN (Maoist) has shown reservation. Next important factors are the agitating political parties especially in the Madhes. They too have not shown interest in it but decried vehemently. And large number of voters are confused whether the local election is happening in the new setup- federal set up or the previous ones. In addition to these, the geographical specificities of the announced time-before December (as mentioned Mangsir of Nepali calendar) is quite worth noting.

To this, former chief election commissioner Nilakanth Uprety says, Mangir is never a suitable time to hold local election in Nepal. More than 140 VDCs of the upper hilly and mountainous areas are covered with snow in the month. So the local elections can be held phase wise. He argues that the existing constitution has paved the way to hold the civic poll to meet the transitional needs.

Conclusively, avoiding local election in the name of transition is a blunder. The local elections are deferred for long. So, all political parties must come to a same point, forge understanding. They need to quit the mindset of ‘my party should lead the election government’. It does not mean anyone outside from the political parties is to be installed again to hold elections. The parties to show utmost responsibility at present are therefore the ruling parties –CPN(UML) and the UCPN (Maoist). They should take a lead on creating the atmosphere conducive to hold elections. The main opposition Nepali Congress too must stop criticizing government in the noble initiative. Disgruntled Madhesi parties should be brought on board so that it would help create atmosphere for consensus. And the voters too need orientation on local election. RSS