Bhisma Raj Ojha 
KATHMANDU, Dec 12: The country recently witnessed the successful completion of the elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies in two phases and to date the final vote count results of almost all constituencies (165) and State Assemblies (330) have already been declared.

The elections results in many constituencies came out in favor of the left alliance while the major ruling party Nepali Congress (NC) faced an ‘unexpected’ defeat in these historic polls–viewed significantly in terms of the implementation of the constitution of federal democratic republic of Nepal.

Party’s veteran leaders like Ramchandra Poudel, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Bimalendra Nidhi, Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, Arjun Narsingh KC and Bishwa Prakash Sharma lost the elections to the House of Representatives.

Formation of left alliance between the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) is viewed as the main reason behind the NC defeat in the twin elections. These two big parties in the mainstream politics took part in the polls by forging an alliance which turned ‘productive’ as well.

Though there may be various visible and invisible factors leading the party to this situation, the formation of a democratic alliance just for name’s sake, factionalism/groupism within the party, lack of mutual trust and ineffective election campaign and failure of those in the party leadership to well inform the public about its good works undertaken in the past are considered as factors that led the party to this situation.

The post-election scenario does not seem to the party’s favor. To date, the NC has won only 21 seats so far in the federal parliament.

Party election mobilization committee coordinator and party leader Balkrishna Khand said the leftist alliance candidates gaining the majority in the elections was obvious at the backdrop of the second and third parties in the 2013 Constituent Assembly elections forging the electoral alliance. The left alliance candidates garnered votes of two political parties.

In his view, besides, the NC failed to attract ‘undecided’ votes to its favor. However, the NC vote towards the proportional representation system is “not discouraging.”

The party was hopeful of getting the public support in return of its role in the national politics to date, but the results came out in contrary to the expectation, he added.

The NC is the party that had had a leading role in every political change in the nation since its establishment. It had contributed much to the abolition of the autocratic Rana rule, to the success of the 1990’s movement for democracy and 2006 people’s peaceful movement, promulgation of the constitution and the peaceful completion of the three-tier election, as leader Khand believed.

According to him, the party will play a constructive role as the opposition in a new governance system. The party will strongly oppose if any attempt is made to make significant changes in the constitution, the political system and impose a unilateral rule.

Some of the party leaders took intra-party mismanagement and misconducts as the main factors that brought the party down to this situation.

Incompetency of the party leadership, operation of the party on ad hoc basis, nepotism and favoritism in the election ticket allocation, money politics and devaluation of those leaders having contribution to the party have fuelled the adverse situation, said a party leader preferring anonymity.

In view of party youth leader Bishwa Prakash Sharma, the alliance between two big political parties is the main reason behind the party’s defeat in the election. The elections results are not surprising. He agrees with the beliefs that party’s failure to go with the people with effective election agenda, its past works and make them aware of its significant role in the establishment of peace and constitution drafting are its weaknesses which are reflected in the polls results.

There may be other reasons such as scandal in regard with the appointment of Inspector General of Nepal Police and the registration of an impeachment motion against the then Chief Justice Sushila Karki that backfired the party in the elections. He demanded the party leadership to instantly call the central working committee to review the election results.

KATHMANDU, Dec 11: The Left Alliance has secured two-third majority in the Federal Parliament under the first-past-the-post electoral system. The election partners CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center), altogether, have won 112 House of Representative seats under FPTP category, which completes the two-third of the total 165 seats.

UML has emerged victorious in 76 constituencies with 5 still leading, whereas Maoist Center has won in 36 constituencies. Also, Rastriya Janamorcha, who allied with the left alliance has won one seat, making 113 total for the left alliance.

The left alliance still needs 74 more seats to mark a complete two-third majority—which is 184 seats– as the total seats of House of Representative is 275, including both FPTP and Proportional Representation category.

Meanwhile, the ruling party Nepali Congress—the largest party of the second Constitution Assembly election 2013 (105 of 240 seats)—has only secured victory in 21 constituencies.

Likewise, the regional parties Federal Socialist Forum Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal has won in 10 constituencies each.

Also, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Naya Shakti Party, Rastriya Janamorcha and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party has won in one constituencies each.

KATHMANDU, Dec 9: Left Alliance has dominated the election table results across the country, more significantly outweighing its chief rival Nepali Congress party.

As of the latest update, Left Alliance’s CPN-UML has secured victory in 22 federal parliament seats, trailing behind is UML’s left alliance partner CPN (Maoist Center) claiming 7 seats. Democratic Alliance leader Nepali Congress has only emerged victorious in 5 seats so far.

Likewise, UML is leading in 57 constituencies, Maoist Center in 27 and Nepali congress in 20.

Meanwhile, in Province Assemblies as well, UML has outweighed its top rival NC. UML has claimed victory in 19 province assemblies while NC has secured victory in 3 seats. Maoist Center has won in 10 province assemblies. Similarly, UML is leading in 88, trailing behind is Maoist Center with 42 leading and Nepali Congress leading in 40.

KATHMANDU, Dec 9: CPN-UML’s Krishna Rai won Kathmandu constituency 3 parliamentary seat with a wide margin of more than 4000 votes. Rai received 19169 votes while his closest competitor Nepali Congress’s Ambika Basnet got 14,884 votes.

KATHMANDU, Dec 9: Nepali Congress’s Prakash Man Singh won a parliamentary seat in Kathmandu constituency 1. Singh got 10,936 votes, while his closest rival Bibeksheel Sajha’s Rabindra Mishra secured 10,118 votes. The left alliance’s Anil Shrama garnered 5,336 votes.

KATHMANDU, Dec 8: As of latest update, Left Alliance is leading both federal parliament and province assembly elections table, with CPN-UML leading the federal parliamentary election with 5 wins and 35 leading; CPN (Maiost Center) 1 win and 20 leading and the ruling party Nepali Congress yet to register a seat yet. NC is leading in 8 constituencies.

Likewise, in Province Assembly elections, UML has won 6 seats with 33 leading; Maoist Center 3 wins in 23 leading and Nepali Congress winning in 2 and leading in 8.

KATHMANDU, Dec 7: The Election Commission has said that the voter turnout for Thursday’s second phase of election to the House of Representatives and Provincial Assemblies was more than 67 per cent. The highest turnout was recorded in Gulmi with 71 per cent.

Speaking at a press conference held at the EC Media Centre late Thursday afternoon, Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said that the voting was held in a peaceful atmosphere baring some sporadic incidents. He also thanked every voter for coming to vote enthusiastically.

Meanwhile, the EC has asked all the political parties to happily accept the result of the vote expressed by the voters through the ballot. The EC has also expressed the commitment that the political parties and the leaders would maintain their existing cordial relations even after the poll result.

After the polls at 5:00 pm today, the ballot papers are being carried to the offices of the chief election officers and district election officers in the district headquarters.

Dr Yadav said that the collected ballots would be kept under the direct supervision, control and management of the chief election officers and district election officers.
The EC said that provisions have been made to keep the ballot boxes in a credible and safe manner with the joint consent of chief election officers and district election officers, security bodies, political parties and candidates.

Meanwhile, the EC has said that voting at Neta Voting Station (A) and (B) of Mathura Lower Secondary School of Sandhikharka Municipality-5 in Arghakhanchi district has been cancelled.

The voting was cancelled after the cadres of a political party torn the ballot papers of Neta Voting Station (B) and vandalized the station stating that the polling officer did not sign the ballot papers. The EC said that re-polling in the station would be held within few days.

With the successful voting under the second round of election, the vote count of the November 26 election has kicked off. In the first round, 32 districts had held the election for the seats of 37 in House of Representatives and 74 in the provincial parliaments. The vote count of the Thursday election begins after completing preparation with the collection of ballot boxes.

The EC thanked everyone from chief election officers to security persons and voters for making the election successful.

It concluded that the government’s security arrangement was smooth. “EC is grateful to political parties, candidates and cadres for their harmony, friendly relations and understanding,” the CEC added.

EC Secretary Begendra Raj Sharma Poudyal observed that the day would be remembered as a day of success and jubilation. RSS

KATHMANDU, Dec 7: Voting for the second and final phase of the House of Representatives and Province Assembly election has begun in 45 districts. Voters armed with their voter identity cards have started streaming into polling stations since early morning, as voting started at 7 am today. It will continue until 5 pm today.

The polls will elect 128 parliamentary and 128 provincial representatives.

A total of 12,235,999 voters are expected to cast their votes from the total 15,344 polling centers.

Under the first-past-the-post system, altogether 1663 candidates for the House of Representatives, and 2819 for the State Assemblies are competing. Likewise, under the proportional representation, 110 candidates for parliament, and 5,838 for province are in the race.

Over 200,000 security personnel have been deployed in the ground for the elections, according to Home Ministry. Likewise, 155,000 poll officials have been deputed for managing the elections today.

KAILALI, Dec 3: Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba on Sunday claimed that his party would bring majority in the upcoming federal parliament and province assembly elections.

“NC will certainly bring majority in elections. People will not cast their votes to the left alliance. NC will win and a new government under the leadership of NC will be formed. I will head the government,” said Deuba while taking to Dhamala in Kailali.

He added,” The country will head toward the path of constitution execution and economic prosperity once the federal and provincial elections are concluded.”

He also accused the left alliance of attempting to enforce absolutism in the country. “Electing communist to power is like tearing the constitution; and bringing inclusiveness to an end, seizing the rights of women, dalits and indigenous people.”

“The communist are advocating for directly election presidential system in the country. Isn’t that tearing of constitution?”

“The voters know this. Why would people vote left alliance? They will vote NC and make us victorious in elections.”

“Left alliance won’t even bring majority, let alone two-third votes.”

He also dismissed the left allince’s accusation that NC failed to develop the nation and added, “Is there any other parties except NC who have developed this country? There was only one airline, now how many are there? Who did this? There was only one university. Now, how many are there? There are medical colleges. Roads have reached villages. Had there not been Maoist war, Nepal would have taken strides into development.”

He also accused Nepal’s communist parties of only giving false hopes of prosperity rather than working for development. “Their claims that they have contributed a lot in country’s development are just lies. Whatever the development works have been carried out in the country, NC did,” he said.

Deuba, a House of Representative candidate from Dadeldhura,  also claimed that he had contributed a lot in the development of far-western development region. “I have master plans for the development. The villages of far-west have access to roads. The roads will be black-topped after elections for the ease of farmers.”

He also said that NC was always committed to ensure Madhesi’s rights in constitution and added that his party will always make considerable efforts to amend constitution to meet the aspirations of Madhesi people.

Deuba also said that the government is committed to provide full security to the voters and candidates in elections.

‘DEUBA HAS NOT STUDIED CONSTITUTION. IF HE HAS, THEN HE MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN IT.’

BARIDYA, Dec 2: Vice-chairman of CPN-UML and a House of Representatives candidate from Bardiya constituency-1 on Saturday said that he would become the next prime minister of Nepal.  He claimed that no other UML and CPN (Maoist Center) leaders were as morally fitter for the prime minister’s post as himself.

“I am obviously a true candidate for the prime minister post. No other leaders are as morally qualified as me to claim the job,” said Gautam while speaking at an election interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal in Bardiya.

“Even UML Chair KP Oli and CPN (Maoist Center) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal will second me,” he added.

He also clarified that the two leftist forces UML and Maoist Center will be united within three months after the elections.

When asked who will become the unified party’s chari, he said: “I can’t say anything about who will become the united communist party’s chair. Oli or Dahal, we will decide only after careful thinking.”

Gautam also claimed that the left alliance would win the elections since a big political wave is rising in favor for the same.

He also expressed his confidence that he would win election in Bardiya-1. When asked, “Hasn’t NC candidate Sanjay Gautam claimed that even UML cadres will vote him?” He replied, “Our cadres are not savage like NC cadres.  Sanjay Gautam distributed money to his cadres to tear down our election publicity banners. UML cadres are much more civilized.”

He also denied the rumors that Maoist Center cadres would not vote UML candidates in the allied constituencies. He said, “Why won’t they vote a common candidate of left alliance? They will vote because they want left alliance’s victory.”

“Left alliance’s victory is certain. NC is counting the constituencies where the party is going to lose election,” he added.

“Left alliance will garner two-third majority and a communist government will be formed after the elections,” he furthered.

Gautam also termed NC’s accusation that left forces is attempting to enforce totalitarianism as false. He said, “Not us, but NC is walking in that path. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is doing activities against the election code of conduct. He has disobeyed the Election commission, and election rules and laws. Isn’t this absolutism? NC has gone insane due to the coming together of communist parties.”

“NC is trying to finish the left alliance. Everything will become clear after the election results. UML is the party that runs according to people’s interest. Deuba himself is against the constitution. He has not studied constitution. If he has, then, he must have forgotten all”

He also said that UML has not mentioned the agenda of directly elected presidential system in the party’s election manifesto and added, “If people favor this, then we could back the agenda.”

Responding to a query that people have expressed doubt if you win election, you may not return back, he said, “Why did I come to Bardiya? It’s because it’s my home town. Because of my key role in party building and parliamentary struggle the party fielded me here.”

He furthered: “I have made a lot of contributions in Bardiya district’s development. I initiated the Babai irrigation project and Bheri diversion. When I led the party I started the campaign “Make your village yourself” (Afno gaun afai banau). All the road development projects here in Bardiya were accomplished in my leadership. There is no place is the district that has no access to roads.”

“Not only that, 85 thousand squatters got land in my effort. I started social security allowance.”

“What has NC done? No budget has been allocated after Dueba came to the government.”

He also accused his rival Sanjay Gautam of not doing anything for the development of Bardiya.

He also assured to blacktop all the roads of the district, provide land to all the squatters and control the Babai river within two years.