By Jan Sharma
Everyone in Nepal seems deeply committed to multi-party democracy, and any attempt to even suggest well-meaning reforms is frowned upon as a “conspiracy” to sabotage the hard-earned freedom.
The same, however, does not seem to be the case when it comes to elections. If democracy seems to unite the political forces – the monarchy and the political parties – the question of having elections held seems to divide them.
The initial response from the political parties to King Gyanendra’s call for municipal elections has not been very encouraging. Leaders of different parties, who have now been breathing fresh air of freedom from house arrest, have been generally cautious, expecting a “political environment.”
If the political parties refuse to participate in the scheduled elections, they not only face the prospects of being marginalized in the political process but also such a confrontation could possibly further damage democracy.
Royal Command
“In view of the improving law and order situation, there should not be any delay in activating the democratic process,” King Gyanendra said in his customary New Year’s Day message on 14 April.
“A robust and effective multiparty system envisages governance of the country by the people’s representatives elected through impartial elections on the basis of adult franchise.”
He said he has commanded the Election Commission “to conduct municipal elections within this year.” This means elections will be held by mid April next year when the current Bikram Sambat year comes to a close.
The announcement came after the Cabinet approved amendment to the Local Administration Act, providing for the creation of the positions of zonal and regional administrators, obviously to improve the chain of command with the centre.
The positions of zonal commissioners, who played key security and political roles, were scrapped following the collapse of the panchayat regime in 1990. This resulted in a persistent breakdown in the law and order situation.
Although no local elections have been held since the last in 1997, democracy was the most successful, most stable and most fruitful at the village and district levels. In contrast, democracy was the most unstable, most chaotic, most irresponsible at the national level.
Prospects
Few doubt free, fair and credible elections are best way out of the political and security quagmire. The municipal elections will be a small but major step forward in returning to democratic governance.
Girija Prasad Koirala, president of the Nepal Congress, wants “full press freedom, peace and restoration of democracy” as the pre-condition for the parties to contest elections. Jhal Nath Khanal of the CPN-UML wants “absolute and inclusive democracy.”
These are the same demands made by India-led international coalition against Nepal. This “pre-condition” in practical terms translates into this: unless the political parties are in power, they won’t go for polls. It gives New Delhi tremendous advantage in the outcome.
Secondly, under the new legislation, political parties have to submit their financial statements on income and expenditures to the Election Commission. They are not ready to disclose their legitimate, if any, sources of income for reasons best known to them.
Lastly, many of the “rich” political leaders are facing corruption charges. A Royal Commission on Corruption has been named over and above the constitutionally-established Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority to probe political corruption.
According to the Transparency International, political parties across Asia are judged the most corrupt of the political institutions. In fact, political corruption was identified along with poverty and high prices as the “biggest problems.”
If the stalemate over municipal elections continues, the promised handing over power to the elected representatives within three years, as promised by King Gyanendra in his 1 February proclamation after taking over the direct control of the government, could be delayed.
This would be the most unfortunate thing for the country. It can still be averted by all the political forces by coming together to build a stable and prosperous future.