Govt doing homework for holding both elections in a single stage: Law Minister Thapa

KATHMANDU, Aug 5: Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Yagya Bahadur Thapa has said that the government has started its homework for conducting both Federal and Provincial election in a single stage.

Speaking during an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Saturday, Minister Thapa said, “Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is exploring the possibilities of holding both elections on the same day. He is consulting with the Election Commission (EC) about the chances for the same.”

PM Deuba last month had proposed the Election Commissioners to conduct the elections in a single stage as it the constitutional deadline for concluding all the elections was fast approaching.

Meanwhile, election experts have also supported the idea of holding both elections in a single go as it would considerably reduce election cost.

However, the EC later, stating that there were constitutional and logistics challenges, had said that holding two elections in a single stage was improbable.

“The government, after agreeing with the EC, will make an official announcement very soon,” added Thapa.

Thapa further added that Act related to Federal and Province would be passed very soon.

“Parliament has already sent the bills related to the election of the House of Representatives and the province assembly for the clause-wise discussion to the state affairs committee. The Committee will see deliberations and reach to a conclusion very soon,” he said.

Likewise, he also said that the Act related to the local level governance will also be finalized very soon. “A draft is being prepared at the Ministry. It will be finalized soon,” he said.

On the occasion, Minster Thapsa also said that the government is seriously making efforts to pass the constitution amendment proposal at the parliament. “PM Deuba is holding talks with various political parties including the main opposition CPN-UML for establishing understanding over the under-discussion amendment bill.”

“The bill must be put to vote immediately. The government must honestly make efforts to gather two-thirds majority in support of the bill and UML must also understand that Madhes is a part of our country.”

Minister Thapa also said that the country will have 77 districts in near future. “Rukum and Nawalparasi will be divided and two more districts will be added,” he added.

“It is a system as envisioned by the constitution of Nepal,” he said adding, “Discussion over it will be carried out soon.”