STATUTE AMENDMENT

The Kathmandu Post

21 July 2017

STATUTE AMENDMENT

The first and the second phase elections were successfully held in six provinces. Not surprisingly, the UML and the NC won a majority of the seats. It seemed that the people gave another chance to these big political parties believing that they would address their grievances (“All in the same vote” July 19, Page 6).

Now, the people from Province 2 are anxiously waiting to cast their votes in the third phase election scheduled for September 18. The government had promised before holding the second phase of local elections that the constitution amendment process will be completed before holding the third phase election so as to enable the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) to participate in the polls. However, looking at the recent political environment, the government seemed to be losing hope of garnering a two-third majority to pass the amendment bill, given the UML’s decision not to budge from its stance that the amendment is against the national interest.

RJPN should have participated in the second phase of local polls and put aside the demand of constitution amendment. Had its local candidates performed well in the elections, its position to exert pressure on the government would have been much stronger.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharjgunj