The high level taskforce set by the seven parties to suggest a date for
elections in April couldn't meet today, and members say it was because the NC
had appointed Sushil Koirala as chairman.
The members had wanted the
prime minister to chair the committee, while the NC itself had proposed that it
have two top leaders from each party. Continued disagreement over the
composition and chairmanship has delayed the announcement of a date for
elections.
According to UML sources, the parties had informally agreed
on creating sub-committees to set the agenda for the main committee, but these
also could not be formed due to the deadlock.
On 24 December, the seven
parties had agreed to announce the exact date for elections only after the
committee approved it. Although the election date is yet to be set, Prime
Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said the government will use "all means and
resources available" to conduct elections in early April.
At a meeting
in Baluwatar Monday, the prime minister asked the Chief Election Commissioner
Bhoj Raj Pokhrel to prepare for elections. Koirala assured Pokhrel that the
commission would get the necessary budget in time. He added that the government
will work to create a suitable political environment for the election.
The commissioners had told Koirala that they would need at least 90 days
to prepare for polls. They also underlined the need for security and peace.
Peace minister Ramchandra Poudel and the government's Chief Secretary Bhoj Raj
Ghimire were also present at the meeting.
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