The Election Commission’s proposal allowing two or more political parties to take part in elections jointly under one single election symbol is flawed

At a time when there is growing skepticism about the elections at the local, provincial and central level three election related Bills were tabled in the Legislature-Parliament on Tuesday.

Tabled were the Bill to Amend and Integrate Laws related to Functions, Duties and Powers of Election Commission, 2073 BS; Bill to Amend and Integrate Laws related to Voters’ List, 2073 B.S. and Bill to Amend and Integrate Laws related to Political Parties, 2073 B.S.

at the meeting of the Legislature-Parliament. When the Bills become laws two more Bills – Election Offence and Punishment Act and Local Bodies’ Election Procedure Act are necessary for holding the polls.

The Bill to Amend and Integrate Laws related to functions and Powers of Election Commission will enable the government to announce the date of the polls.

The EC is not happy with the arrangement of the government announcing the poll dates and it insists that it should be the sole authority of the EC to decide the date for polls. It is a contentious issue as to whether the government has the right to declare the election date.

However, the EC’s proposal permitting two or more political parties to take part in elections jointly under a single election symbol is flawed.

The Bill to Amend and Integrate Laws Related to Political Parties has made provisions for this, but this goes against the democratic practices for this would permit the political parties to form alliance jointly which is not proper.

Moreover, as per the provision if an elected member defects from the party which provided him or her with the ticket to stand for elections the post would be immediately vacated.

However it is absurd that if at least 40 per cent members of the party’s central committee or the parliamentary party were to form a new party or merge with another political party this would not be regarded as defection.

Furthermore, the Bill would keep their seats in the Parliament intact although they have already left the party. Again it is ridiculous that the merged groups would not be allowed to split again for a period up to five years. Such provision will not help parties maintain discipline within the parties.

The government has also erred for doing away with the proposal made by the EC that the State should be financing the parties securing more than 1.5 per cent popular votes to do away with the rampant financial aberrations that is taking place.

The dealings of the political parties should be made transparent considering the huge number of unethical practice. the EC had also proposed cancelling registration of a political parties that fail to submit annual audit report for three consecutive years.

However, the government changed this provision and added only a fine up to Rs. 50,000 and disallow political parties from contesting polls at least for two elections. This will give parties more space to maneuver.

The Bills are also expected to follow the principle of proportional inclusion. Meanwhile, the government does not want to register voters after the election date is announced.

Much homework is needed before these Bills are passed by the Parliament.

Keep them healthy

Every year thousands of mountain goats and sheep are brought to the Kathmandu Valley targeting Dashain and Tihar, two greatest festivals of Hindus, from Tibet, mountain districts of the country and India.

But most of the animals reared in much cooler regions are brought to the Valley within a short period of time during autumn which still remains hot, and the differences in temperature and poor hygiene make them sick and not suitable for consumption.

All the goats and sheep are kept in the open sky for many days, and there is a risk of them getting sick even after the quarantine checks.

Although the herd of mountain goats and sheep are required to pass through the quarantine checks at various border points there is no scientific mechanism to verify that the animals are healthy and can be sold to the markets.

What can be said is that quarantine check is not enough.

The concerned municipalities must provide suitable shelters or temporary tents for them along with the facility of veterinary services for a specific period so that the shepherds do not suffer financial losses in case of their deaths or illnesses.

The areas where the animals and fowls are kept must be hygienic and suitable for their survival.