Nepal votes to elect new parliament amid political instability considerations

Millions started voting on Sunday to elect a brand new parliament and provincial assemblies in Nepal, hoping to finish the political instability that has plagued the nation for greater than a decade. More than 17.9 million eligible voters will elect a 275-member House of Representatives.

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Nov 20, 2022 12:12 IST

An official from the election fee works to arrange a voting sales space on the polling station in Bhaktapur, Nepal. (Image: Reuters)

By Press Trust of India: Millions of Nepalese started voting on Sunday to elect a brand new parliament and provincial assemblies amid tight safety, hoping to finish the political instability that has plagued the nation for greater than a decade and impeded progress.

The polling began at 7 am native time at over 22,000 polling centres and can shut at 5 pm.

The counting of votes will start from 9 pm on Sunday amid tight safety, Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya stated.

Speaking to the media after voting from a polling station in Bhaktapur, Thapaliya stated the counting will begin at 9 pm in the present day after amassing all of the poll containers.

Thapaliya stated the fee would announce all of the first-past-the-post ends in the subsequent eight days whereas the outcomes of proportional illustration elections can be introduced by December 8.

More than 17.9 million eligible voters will elect a 275-member House of Representatives.

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Out of a complete of 275 Members of Parliament, 165 will likely be elected by means of direct voting, whereas the remaining 110 will likely be elected by means of a proportional electoral system.

At the identical time, voters will even select representatives to seven provincial assemblies.

Out of a complete of 550 members of the provincial assemblies, 330 will likely be elected immediately and 220 will likely be elected by means of the proportional technique.

Political observers carefully watching the elections have predicted a hung parliament and a authorities that’s unlikely to offer the required political stability in Nepal.

Political instability has been a recurrent function of Nepal’s Parliament for the reason that finish of the decade-long Maoist insurgency, and no prime minister has served a full time period after the civil struggle led to 2006.

The frequent adjustments and combating amongst events have been blamed for the nation’s gradual financial progress.

There are two main political alliances contesting the polls — the ruling Nepali Congress-led democratic and leftist alliance and the CPN-UML-led leftist and pro-Hindu, pro-monarchy alliance.

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Nepali Congress led by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, 76, has shaped an electoral alliance with former Maoist guerrilla chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, 67, towards former premier Okay P Sharma Oli, 70.

The Nepali Congress-led ruling alliance consists of CPN-Maoist Centre, CPN-Unified Socialist, and Madhes-based Loktantrik Samajwadi Party whereas the CPN-UML-led alliance consists of pro-Hindu Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Madhes-based Janata Samajwadi Party.

The subsequent authorities will face challenges of protecting a steady political administration, reviving the tourism trade and balancing ties with neighbours — China and India.

Out of a complete of two,412 candidates contesting the election for federal Parliament, 867 are independents.

Among the key political events, the CPN-UML has fielded 141 candidates whereas the Nepali Congress and CPN-Maoist Centre have fielded 91 and 46 candidates respectively.

Security has been stepped up in all 77 districts throughout the nation with air-patrolling round polling stations and shutting of worldwide borders for 72 hours.

Published On:

Nov 20, 2022