At a time when speculation is rife about voting in the recently conducted municipal elections, the Election Commission on Sunday released official data on the vote.
As per the data released by EC at a press meet, exactly 22.79 percent of the people voted and candidates were elected in 609 posts including 34 Mayors, 25 Deputy Mayors, 197 Ward chairmen, 282 Ward members and 71 women ward members in 36 municipalities while 1286 posts in 22 municipalities were filled by unopposed candidates.
People, facing challenges such as blockade, bomb blast, threats of murder and abduction, went to cast their vote. In spite of minor incidents, the people were actively involved in polls. This is an eye-opener for the foreigners. The agitating parties were claiming that they hold support of 90 percent of the population, which has become false and those foreigners are now reviewing their previous stance. The government has concluded parliamentary elections can be held next year.
It shows that:
There are now only two forces, and not three as was said to exist before. Only the will of the Monarchists and the Maoists prevailed. Had there been no killings, threats, and intimidations the participation in the elections would have been complete. That “main political parties” are not necessary for the people to stand for elections and for the people to vote. The second force, the Maoists, given their interviews in the Kathmandu Post and the Hindu (Indian paper), if not tactical,seem have been less dogmatic, now than before.
That the role of our previous representatives had been so downgraded and devalued that even taxi drivers and laborers have got confidence to stand for the elections. Among the brave voters, risking possible reprisals or even deaths, women exceeded men. Among the brave candidates, risking their lives, so-called lower castes exceed the Brahmins.
The election was held in a free and fair manner. The election was constitutional as it was conducted by EC, which is a constitutional body. Constitution of the country has not stated that how much vote is a must for it to be legitimate or valid. The election was held in Nepal and all the players of the elections were Nepalis.
A total of 10 women candidates including three for the office of Mayor and seven for the office of the Deputy Mayor were been elected throughout the country. Not a single woman mayoral or deputy mayoral candidate was elected in the local bodies’ election held in 2049 B.S. and 2054 B.S. following the restoration of multi-party democracy in 2046 B.S.
The recently concluded municipal election also witnessed a large number of candidates representing Dalit communities being elected as mayors and deputy mayors.
And also, the Wednesday polls in Nepal were telecast by different international media as a prime event. Some of the television channels even telecast live reporting on polls in different parts of the country. Likewise, several international newspapers as well as online news services had covered the polls event providing prime space, reports. BBC and CNN like world reputed media had telecasting breaking news about the polls in Nepal.
The polls were conducted despite the Maoist threat and seven party boycott were given high priority by the international media. In fact, the world witnessed the reality in Nepal. The false propaganda created by the agitating parties against the Monarch has also surfaced in the international arena.
