Candidates pull out of Nepal municipal polls

In what came as a major loss of face for King Gyanendra personally, prospective candidates for the municipal elections scheduled on February...

In what came as a major loss of face for King Gyanendra personally, prospective candidates for the municipal elections scheduled on February 8 chose to side with the seven parties pro-democracy alliance which has given a call for poll boycott.

According to the information so far, only around 200 candidates filed their nomination against four thousand plus various posts in 58 municipal bodies in the country. While the alliance called for general boycott of the poll including the nomination process, Maoists have warned that candidates and the government official on duty would face death penalty.

The government on the other hand, assured of full protection to the candidates and the voters while the election commission announced insurance cover for the candidates against death and injury.

Story continues below this ad

The only date slated for nomination was marred with nationwide strike called by the alliance in protest against the large scale arrest and use of violence by the government on pro-democracy leaders and activists largely paralysing the normal life including nomination process.

In Pokhara, about 200-km west from here, police opened fire on protesters in which at least one student was wounded. About 100 pro-democracy supporters have been rounded up there. Officials said while Kathmandu metropolitan was lucky to have some four mayoral candidates, the total number of candidates for other posts including that of the deputy mayor ran short.

In Bhaktapur, another district in the capital valley, drew blank as no one ventured to file the nomination. The King who heads the council of ministers has stoutly rejected pleas from the international community and pro-democracy leaders at home to call of the elections and hold dialogue with democratic forces to avoid violence in the country.

Top political leaders, including Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, Nepal Communist UML general secretary Madhav Kumar, Nepal and Nepali Congress (Democratic) President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who are in detention, yesterday asked people to disrupt the ‘‘election drama’’ being staged by the royal government to legitimise its autocratic rule.

Tejashwi’s Bihar election promise — ‘Will bin Waqf law if INDIA bloc comes to power’

Cities1 hr ago

Tejashwi Yadav, leader of RJD, vows to revoke Waqf Act in Bihar if elected, citing it as a threat to Constitutional equality. He criticizes CM Nitish Kumar for aligning with BJP and RSS and emphasizes the need for development in Seemanchal region. Yadav accuses BJP of using agencies to intimidate him and promises job creation for all households in Bihar.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS