It was no less a heroic feat for the candidates to file their nominations on Thursday for the forthcoming municipal polls amid ‘Nepal bandh,’ protests from the seven party opposition alliance and the Maoist threats. Follows glimpses of election scenario compiled from various news reports:
Wife opposes nominations
Bhuvan Krishna Shrestha, a mayoral candidate in the mid-western district of Banke, was forced to withdraw his candidacy after his wife reached the district election office crying and asked him to cancel his nomination for the post of mayor of Nepalgunj municipality. Shrestha is the district chairman of Rastrabadi Milan Kendra, a royalist outfit.
Membership terminated
Nepali Congress district committee of Morang has terminated the membership of party activist, Binod Aryal, for a period of five years for contesting for the post of mayor of the eastern town of Biratnagar. Similarly, the Bara district unit of Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) has terminated general membership of two of its cadres who filed their candidacy for the position of ward chairmen in Bara district. Bikram Yadav filed his nominations for chairman of Kalaiya municipality ward no. 11 while Bhagirath Giri filed for ward no. 13 as independent candidates.
DDC vice chairman and a sweeper vie for the same post
Devi Jung Gurung, the nominated district vice chairman of Kaski district, filed his nomination for the post of mayor of Pokhara sub-metropolitan city. Yam Bahadur Pariyar, the head sweeper at the Pokhara sub-metropolis, has also filed his nomination for the same post. Jayalal Pun, who was arrested few months back in connection with the construction of bus-park, is vying for the post of deputy mayor of Pokhara.
Couple jointly file candidacy
Ganesh Lal Shrestha and his wife Leela Devi Shrestha filed their nominations for the post of mayor and deputy mayor of Banepa municipality on Thursday. Both of them will be contesting elections as Ganesh is a truck driver and Leela a house wife. Since they are sole candidates for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor, they are likely to be elected unopposed, according to reports.
Porter is only the candidate
Atmaram Duwal, who has been working as a porter, has filed his nomination for the post of mayor of Panauti municipality in Kavre district. He is also the only the candidate for the post.
Brothers to contest for the post of mayor
Two brothers will be contesting for the post of mayor in Baglung municipality. Bidur Khadka and his brother Mahendra Khadka filed their nomination for the same post on Thursday. Bidur Khadka represents the Rastriya Prajatantra Party led by Home Minister Kamal Thapa while Mahendra—a businessman– has been contesting as an independent candidate.
Candidates demand security
Candidates vying for various positions of Kathmandu metropolitan city have demanded security soon after they filed their nominations at the district election office on Thursday. They informed the police post near them and have apprised them about the location of their residence. Police escorted many of the candidates in Kathmandu to their residence, advised them to remain vigilant and asked them to inform police if they receive any threats.
Many wards have no candidates
In Kathmandu, where government claims to have maintained good security, candidacy for various positions was less than what was required to fill the positions of the local body. Large number of seats in wards of these municipalities has no candidates. Three wards of Kathmandu, nine wards of Kirtpur and three wards in Lalitpur have no candidates at all to contest the election.
Manisha asks to vote
Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala.
Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala.
(Photo source : rediff.com)
Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala has asked people to cast their votes in the forth coming municipal elections. Koirala who reached district election office in Morang along with rebel NC candidate, Binod Aryal, said that adult franchise was the essence of democratic system in any country. She accused her grandfather (NC president) Girija Prasad Koirala of having deviated from the path shown by Nepali Congress veteran late B. P. Koirala. She said she would return to Mumbai only after the polls are over.
To protest Manisha’s canvassing in favour of voting, students in eastern district of Jhapa took out a rally on Wednesday. They also burnt her effigy and threatened to boycott all film in which she has acted. Similarly, student activists in the western town of Pokhara have requested all cinema hall owners in town not to screen Ms. Koirala’s films. Students accused that she had been active in poll campaigns since her father, Prakash Koirala, had been nominated a minister by His Majesty the King after the royal takeover.
The European Union on Friday has strongly condemned what it called the use of force to suppress the Nepali people’s exercise of fundamental rights, including the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.
EU flag (Photo source : bbc.co.uk)
In a statement issued today, the Council of the European Union said the EU gives its full support to what it called the moderate voices in Nepal working towards the goal of a sustainable peace based on the principles of a civilian, accountable and democratic government.
In its statement, the European Union said it continues to be deeply concerned over the situation in Nepal, where political forces seem to be moving towards an ever more severe confrontation and polarization thus increasing the deepening the political crisis.
Condemning what it called the use of force to suppress the Nepali people’s exercise of fundamental rights, the statement said, “The EU finds that the (Nepal) government’s extensive restrictions on the Nepali society, political parties and civil society over the last week are disproportionate and do not comply with Nepal’s obligations under the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).”
On Wednesday, the National Human Rights Commission said that the security forces were using ‘excessive force’ in demonstrations organized by the political parties. “We have collected evidences of security men not only using ‘excessive force’ but also arresting and brutally beating up innocent people and passersby not involved in the protests,” the Commission said.
In its strong-worded statement, the EU called upon the King, the Nepal government and the security forces to immediately restore all political and civil liberties in accordance with Nepal’s international obligations, immediately release all political prisoners and human rights defenders, and ensure that political and civil rights, including freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, can be exercised peacefully.
The EU statement has come at a time when the royal government continues to detain hundreds of political activists, human rights activists and journalists across the country.
The statement further said the EU strongly condemns the resumption of Maoist violence, including the recent murder of an election candidate. The Maoists had shot dead a probable Mayoral candidate, Bijay Lal Das, in the southern town of Janakpur early this week.
The EU said it deeply regrets what it called the government’s failure to seize the opportunity provided by the Maoists’ unilateral ceasefire to declare a truce. “The EU underlines the obligation of all parties to fully respect international humanitarian law, including by way of protecting civilians and facilitating the access of humanitarian organisations seeking to aid affected persons, the none-point statement said. “The EU reiterates that what Nepal and its people urgently need is a cessation of armed hostilities as a first step in an inclusive and comprehensive peace process,” it added.
Commenting on the municipal polls slated on February 8, the EU said, “For the elections to be meaningful it is crucial that they be held in direct consultation with the political parties as part of an exercise to establish a full return to democracy. The fact that no such consultation has taken place means that the planned municipal elections will be another step backwards for democracy and are likely to further polarize positions.”
Early this week, senior opposition leader and former premier, G P Koirala, had called upon the international community including the United Nations not to recognize the municipal polls being conducted by the royal government.
Meanwhile, Nepali Times—a leading weekly newspaper—reported from Strasbourg, Belgium, Friday that the members of European Parliament from across the political spectrum were unanimous that “the king is taking the country down the wrong path and he must roll back his move before it is too late for the country and himself.”
To mark one year of the royal takeover, the sub-committee on Human Rights of the European Parliament has called for a hearing on Nepal on 20 February that will be attended by top officials and may issue a strong resolution against the royal takeover, the newspaper report said.
One of the largest bilateral donors to Nepal, the European Union is an intergovernmental and supranational union of 25 European countries.
The government on Friday has freed over a dozen opposition leaders from custody.
According to reports, the authorities have lifted the order of ‘house arrest’ of former deputy prime minister and senior CPN (UML) leader, Bharat Mohan Adhikari.
Half a dozen leaders including Adhikari were placed on house arrest since last Friday.
The order of ‘house arrest’ has been lifted against all the senior opposition leaders including Nepali Congress president GP Koirala except CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Mr. Nepal is still confined at his residence at Koteswore, Kathmandu.
The opposition leaders freed on Friday include Govinda Raj Joshi, Khum Bahadur Khadka, Mahesh Acharya and Lekhnath Neupane of Nepali Congress; Siddhi Lal Singh and Raghuji Panta of CPN (UML); Khem Raj Bhatta `Mayalu,’ Keshav Kumar Budhathoki and Jivan Bahadur Shahi of NC (Democratic) and a trade union activist, Manju Bhattarai, among others.
Talking to Nepalnews Friday evening upon his release, UML leader and former minister Raghuji Panta said health condition of most of the detainees at the Armed Police Force base at Duwakot, Bhaktapur – where he was being detained– was deteriorating due to unhygienic water. He said acting president of NC (D) Gopal Man Shrestha and UML leaders Keshav Badal and Rajendra Shrestha had fallen ill due to the unhygienic drinking water.
“We were given three dailies– the state-run Gorkhapatra, The Rising Nepal, and private-sector Rajdhani daily — and three weeklies Jana Bhavana, Jana Dharana and Nispakchhya only to read while in custody,” Panta said.
He said the security personnel did not allow the detainees to newspapers including Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post—that are quite critical of the government—despite repeated requests.
Nabil Three Star Club (NTSC), Rani Pokhari Corner Team (RCT), Brigade Boys Club (BBC) and Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) were all victorious in the matches played today in the ANFA Martyrs’ Memorial “A” Division League Football Tournament.
Obagbemiro Junior (BBC), Rishi Rai (RCT) and Surendra Tamang (NTSC) struck twice each in their respective matches against New Road Team (NRT), Friends Club (FC) and Machhindra Football Club (MFC) to earn wins for their teams. .
BBC evened their 6-0 loss in the first leg beating NRT 2-0 riding the crest of Obagbemiro Junior, who led his goal tally to 19, the highest so far in the league. Junior scored in the 56th and 63rd minute.
Rishi Rai tightened his sleeves scoring two goals for RCT to breathe easier in the mid-table zone. Rai brought ecstasy twice in the 34th and 57th minute.
Nabil Three Star Club had to rely on Surendra Tamang’s two first half goals to beat the Red Lions (MFC). Tamang’s goals saw NTSC sitting on the hot seat with 49 points.
In the TAC versus Mahabir Club (MC) match at Dashrath Stadium, army skipper Janamat Karki struck the match winning goal to knock a nail on Mahabir’s coffin.
Karki struck a splendid goal in the 30th minute to collect a win and redeem themselves after being bitterly outclassed by minnow Boys Union Club in the previous clash. TAC, at 48 points, is currently at second position.
Leaders from various faiths in Nepal have urged the international community, especially Norway, to play a more effective role in finding a peaceful solution to Nepal crisis. They also requested the international community to support and cooperate with the religious communities in Nepal in their efforts for peace.
During a meeting with the Norwegian ambassador to Nepal Tore Toreng this week, the religious leaders shared with him their concern and opinion about the deteriorating situation in the country, a statement issued by the Inter-Religious Peace Committee-Nepal said.
During their meeting, the religious leaders with one voice expressed their unshaken unity and commitment to jointly work for peaceful resolution of the armed conflict and lasting peace in the country.
The ongoing conflict in Nepal has a local, regional and international dimension.
In his response, the Norwegian ambassador appreciated the joint efforts being made by various religious groups in Nepal for peace. He further said that the religious communities in Nepal had a tremendous potential to make a meaningful contribution to the peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict and establishment of lasting peace by working together.
He further suggested that the religious leaders in Nepal should come up with a concrete road map to resolve the on-going conflict and should make their message known to the warring parties and the general public.
The delegation led by president of Inter-Religious Peace Committee (IRPC) and ex-president of World Hindu Federation, Achyut Raj Regmi, included Dr KB Rokaya, Vice President, IRPC and general secretary, National Council of Churches of Nepal; among others.
Despite ups and down, Norway is playing the role of an intermediary between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE guerillas to find out a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict that has already claimed over 60,000 lives in the island nation over the last two decades.
Reports say clashes are going on at Ghorepani of eastern hilly district of Bhojpur between the security forces and Maoist rebels from Friday evening.
According to latest reports, Maoist rebels opened attack at a joint security base at Ghorepani from this evening. Security sources said two security personnel were injured during the clashes. They said a night vision helicopter had already reached the area to provide support to the security personnel.
There were no reports of casualties on the part of the rebels.
Meanwhile, reports from Biratnagar say a powerful explosion took place just before the night curfew was to commence in the eastern city this evening.
Unconfirmed reports said residence of one of the candidates of the forthcoming municipal polls had been targeted. Details were not immediately available.
Similarly, explosions took place in the mid-western town of Nepalgunj this evening. Security sources said they had diffused two bombs placed by suspected rebels in various parts of the city.
Local shop owners pulled their shutters down by 5 p.m. Friday amid rumours that the rebels could mount fresh attacks. Curfew begins in the city at 7:00 p.m.
The local administration in Janakpur has been placing all candidates of the upcoming municipal polls in a house near the army barracks of the district citing security reasons.
The 72 candidates placed there charged the local administration of detaining them due to the fear that they might take back their nominations, reports said.
A local journalist, who met the candidates told Nepalnews that they are angry with the government as they are repeatedly saying that they will manage their security own their own.
The Janakpur CDO refuted reports saying that the candidates had not been locked up but admitted that they had been placed at the same place in view of security.
In a bid to disrupt the municipal polls, Maoists shot dead Bijay Lal Das, a mayoral candidate of the terai-based Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP), Janakpur on Sunday afternoon.
Likewise, reports from mid western and far western development regions said many candidates of Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi municipalities are planning to take back their candidacy citing security reasons.
Only 3,255 candidates filed nominations across the country on Thursday for the 4,146 posts of February 8 municipal polls. The EC is holding election for 4,146 representatives in one metropolis, four sub-metropolis and 53 municipalities in 43 districts of the country.
Meanwhile, Nepal Telecom has cut off mobiles phones of Janakpur Exchange from Friday afternoon. Though authorities are yet to give any reasons, it is believed that the mobile phones were cut taking the municipal polls into consideration.
The mobile phone lines of Mahottari and Sarlahi have also been cut off from Friday.
The alliance of seven opposition political parties announced fresh protest programmes to disrupt the municipal poll slated for February 8 and for the restoration of complete democracy in the country.
According to the protest schedule publicized following a meeting of the central people’s movement coordination committee of the alliance on Friday, the alliance will give continuity to pamphleting, door-to-door campaigns, and corner meetings till next Tuesday.
The alliance activists will burn the effigies of autocracy and have corner meetings in each and every ward of all municipalities across the nation on Saturday. The alliance also plans torch rallies at various places of the Valley on Saturday.
The alliance has announced a village-to-city walk campaign on Sunday and student demonstrations against the polls across the nation on Monday. The alliance will hold women’s rallies across the nation on Tuesday.
Kathmandu will see a protest rally from Gaushala at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. The rally would converge into a mass protest meeting at New Baneshwor.
The alliance will observe February 1 as a “black day” and will hold nationwide black flag protest demonstrations and mass meetings. Senior leaders of the alliance will also address a mass meeting at Basantpur in the capital on the same day.
The Mass Movement Coordination Committee’s meeting has also called on all sections of the society including teachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers, journalists, writers, artists and intellectuals to participate in the movement launched against autocracy and to launch their own protest programmes.
The alliance has also condemned indiscriminate use of force against the people participating in peaceful demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the seven-party alliance affiliated student wings also held a joint meeting in the capital on Friday to express their solidarity to the protest programmes of the seven opposition alliance.
His Majesty the King, in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990, has appointed Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dr Rambhakta PB Thakur, the Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa also.
This was stated in a notice issued Friday by the Press Secretariat of His Majesty the King.
The Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) has claimed that at least 25 Maoists were killed and several others were injured in a fierce gun-battle between the security forces and the insurgents in Bhakunde area of the western district of Palpa on Tuesday.
Quoting sources at the RNA’s Western Divisional Headquarters in Pokhara, the state-owned Radio Nepal on Wednesday said the rebels were killed when the security forces launched retaliatory action against them.
There were no reports of casualties on the security side.
A large number of arms and ammunition and various Maoist documents were recovered from the incident site, the report added.