Elusive search for democratic stability

February 1, 2006
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– By Jan Sharma

Despite the boycott by the Communist-dominated seven-party alliance and Maoist threat to sabotage, King Gyanendra firmly reiterated that the February 8 municipal elections will go ahead as scheduled.

In a televised proclamation to the nation Wednesday morning, the King vigorously defended his year-long direct rule, repeatedly stressed on “meaningful democracy” and promised “all popularly elected bodies will be active” by April next year.

“Patriotism is the only means of creating a democratic society,” he said in a 20-minute proclamation. “We, therefore, call upon all Nepalese to consign mutual recrimination to the bitter past and build a secure and prosperous future for the nation and people, while upholding democratic norms.”

Parliamentary elections were initially scheduled for November 13, 2002 but were postponed indefinitely. The term of local bodies – 58 municipalities, 3,933 village development committees, and 75 district development committees – last expired on July 16, 2002.

The proclamation comes amidst rumors that the king was to postpone the polls and open dialogue with the political parties opposing his direct rule in a fresh bid to restore peace and end the political and constitutional crisis.

It also comes a day after publication of an opinion poll survey that disclosed 42.9 percent of the respondents wanted to vote, 19.5 percent do not want to vote and 30.7 percent remained undecided.

The Interdisciplinary Analysts survey in January found 26.2 percent of those not going to vote was for security reason, 23.1 percent because they believed polls were unconstitutional and eight percent because the party they support had boycotted the vote.

The survey found nearly half the respondents had doubts whether the vote will be free and fair but 16.4 percent believed it to be so.

Elections are scheduled for 4,146 positions as mayors, deputy mayors, ward chairmen and ward members in 58 municipalities. Only 3,654 candidates filed their nominations on January 29. Over 600 of them withdrew simultaneously.

Mayors in 22 municipalities and deputy mayors in 20 municipalities were announced elected unopposed as no one challenged them. Yet, not a single contestant filed nomination in 174 wards out of a total of 806 wards in 58 municipalities.

This means a broad and responsible representation has a slim chance in the municipal polls. If the present trends continue, and parliamentary elections take place by April next year as promised, the same experience will be repeated.

Such quality of representation will further damage the democratic process. The blame for this must go to the “mainstream” media and the so-called civil society for inflaming prejudices among political actors instead of harmonizing them and forcing them to cohabitate.

The seven-party alliance leaders say they do not want any compromise with the king and want to bring about a “political tsunami” to achieve “total democracy” and “an end to absolute monarchy.”

The constituents of the seven-party alliance have serious differences on the interpretation of the concepts worked out as part of their 12-point “understanding” with the outlawed Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), which also wants to sabotage the polls.

The Maoists have threatened to “reduce by six inches” anyone contesting or voting. The six inches refer to head measurement. This has scared many prospective contestants and voters wanting to exercise their franchise.

The Royal Nepalese Army said it was “firm to maintain peace and security during the elections and the security personnel will act like in the past elections if anybody tries to create disruptions by any means.” No army in the world can possibly cope with each and every hit and run assassins.

Campaigning has been quiet as Maoists killed one mayoral aspirant in Janakpur, and injured another in Lalitpur. In many places, candidates are not to be seen anywhere. Many voters do not even know the candidates.

On the eve of the proclamation, Washington urged the king to return to democracy by initiating a dialogue with political parties, which it described as “the best way” to address the Maoist insurgency and to build a brighter future for the Nepali people.

“The United States remains particularly concerned by the Maoist insurgency, which presents the most immediate threat to a peaceful and prosperous Nepal,” Adam Ereli, deputy spokesman at the Department of State, was quoted as saying.

As the countdown for the municipal polls nears to a close, there is still hope for a political leadership that could rise above short-term interests and provide the country democratic stability. It is turning into an agonizing wait.

(Editor’s Note: Nepalis, wherever they live, as well as friends of Nepal around the globe are requested to contribute their views/opinions/recollections etc. on issues concerning present day Nepal to the Guest Column of Nepalnews. Length of the article should not be more than 1,000 words and may be edited for the purpose of clarity and space. Relevant photos as well as photo of the author may also be sent along with the article. Please send your write-ups to [email protected])