The Interim Government had been constantly assuring the people that the constituent assembly (CA) polls would definitely be held in June. The prime minister even declared that the elections would be held by means corresponding with the unusual circumstances.

However, on Friday the Chief Election Commissioner wrote a letter to the Prime Minister informing the government that the Election Commission (EC) needs at least 110 days to prepare for the polls. Even before that, on April 11, the commissioner had raised a vital question: How can the CA polls be conducted when a conducive environment has not yet been created?

One of his main concerns was the government had not yet started legal procedures for the poll. The EC needs acts and directives in order to create a conducive atmosphere for the polls, but the interim parliament was enjoying recess after recess and the adoption of necessary acts is not complete yet.

While the government and the parliament have been unable to expedite the legislative work, they have been charging unseen forces for conspiring against the polls. They are merely trying to shift their burden on to those who are quite invisible. The agitation in the Tarai continues and the Janajatis and Dalits have not shown any sign of reconciliation. The PM had declared in Delhi that he would take immediate initiative to resolve the problem. But more than a week has passed. The PM could spare time to address a mass meeting at Pokhara, but could not take out time to meet the leaders of the movement.

The Madhesi People’s Right Forum led by Upendra Yadav once more suggested on April 11 to initiate talks but it has not got any response from the government. A few days back, THT carried a photo in which a police constable was lathi-charging a Janajati agitator, which depicted the government’s attitude towards the Janajati movement.

The people have yet to experience confidence in law and order situation and even the police have admitted that the crime rate has gone up. How could one be assured that the election would be held on time and even if all efforts were made to hold elections on the scheduled date, could it be a free and fair one?

The preparation for polls is, therefore, a Herculean task. In order to achieve the target of Jana Andolan II, the eight party alliance along with other smaller parties, ethnics, women and Dalit formations and the civil society should work together to create a healthy atmosphere for CA polls. Naturally, the lead has to come from the government and first of all it has to change its mindset in conformity with the people’s aspiration.

Participants of the Jana Andolan II had a clear vision — of a new Nepal where an inclusive democracy under a federal system would emerge and where any form of discrimination would not exist. A new Nepal where parties would be more sensitive to public aspiration. A Nepal which would protect and advance the rights of every group of Nepali population. The main emphasis, therefore, has to be on a change in the attitude of the leaders.

The MPRF or other groups may be new and independent bodies or some groups might be breakaway factions of some political party, but their views cannot be ignored. Equal respect and attention has to be paid to every view in order to achieve a lasting peace and democracy. Dialogue is the only means to arrive at a common position. The Yadav group has demanded a political conference and this demand is relevant at a time when there is so much divergence of opinion on so many issues.

The government has to pay attention to the law and order situation; the parliament has to expedite legislative work; and the parties and the civil society has to educate the masses about the CA, its function and the issues before it. So, a common position has to be taken by all, but the initiative has to be taken by the government. This is possible only when the parties set aside their arrogance (the parties seem to feel that they have all the people behind them) and admit that the majority of the population are non-partisan and will cast their vote for one or other party on the basis of likes and dislikes of their electoral platforms.

The people should not be taken for granted. In a democracy, there is change in leadership and government. This shows people’s non-partisan position. For a democracy to develop fairness in the election is the most important aspect.

Whether the election is held on June 20 or six months later does not matter. What matters is active participation of the people and their confidence that polls would be held in a fair manner. All the parties, including the Maoists, have had their grievances against electoral process in the past. So, it is high time they buried the past and created a healthy condition for a fair and free election. To make the CA truly representative of the people is the main task ahead of us all.

Upadhyay is former foreign minister