EC update “12,964 representatives elected in 278 local bodies”

Kathmandu / May 25: The Election Commission on Thursday has said that 12, 964 representatives in 278 local units have been elected in 34 districts of Province number 3, 4 and 6.

Earlier, on May 14 first phase of local level elections were commenced for selecting local representatives in 283 local units. The vote counting in 278 local bodies has been completed so far.

According to EC’s spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma, the results of five local bodies are awaited. He also further said that the vote counting in three Metropolis, Kathmandu, Pokhara Lekhnath and Bharatpur is going on.

He also said that the results of Kathmandu, Pokhara Lekhnath, Bharatpur Metropolises and Changunarayan Municipality would be completed in a couple of days.

According to Election Commission, 278 candidates have been elected as mayors, 278 candidates have been elected as deputy mayors, 2,513 candidates as ward chief, 2,508 candidates as women members, 2,367 candidates as Dalit members.

Election Commission also said that the preparations are underway to hold the second phase of local elections in 41 districts in Province number 1, 2, 5 and 7 on June 14.

Meanwhile, CPN-UML’s 122 candidates have been elected as mayor or chiefs whereas Nepali Congress’ 104 candidates have been elected to top posts. Similarly, CPN-Maoist Centre’s 46 candidates have been elected as mayor or chiefs, as of now.

Only after the election in all three levels—local, provincial and federal— the Constitution would be fully implemented. So the government has expressed commitment to hold the three-tier of elections by January 21, 2018, by providing necessary logistics to the Election Commission.

Restructuring of bureaucracy according to the federal set up in the country are in the programmes.

The government has also aimed to give a logical conclusion to the ‘Comprehensive Peace Process’ by carrying out the remaining tasks and for this aim, resources would be allocated to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons so as to make them effective.

In the policy and programme of the government, efforts to revitalise the economy of the government have been laid out. Attainment of 7 % economic growth in the current fiscal year, a milestone achievement of the government, according to the policy, will be the target in the coming fiscal year as well.

Construction and reconstruction by involving the private sector and the resettlement of earthquake victims are the priority of the government.

Enhancement of the capacity of National Restructuring Commission and acceleration of infrastructure development programmes have been laid out as well. For the execution of national pride projects, resources would be made available alongside their supervision and monitoring.

Acknowledging the energy sector as the backbone of the economic growth in the country, plans have been put forward to be self-reliant in energy.

The government has acknowledged agriculture as the major national product sector and have got a plan to modernise it. Sustainable use of forest resources and the processing of herbs in the country are also the priority.

The attraction of foreign direct investment, encouragement of export, promotion of religious tourism in the country, conservation of dying out languages and cultures are also the priority of the government in the coming fiscal year.

Women empowerment, upliftment of the disadvantaged community, education and health are also in the top priority of the government policy and programmes.