Kathmandu, June 1

The CPN-UML obstructed parliametary proceedings today as well, demanding resumption of vote counting in Bharatpur Metropolitan City without further delay.

Lawmakers of the main opposition party stood up from their seats as soon as Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar announced commencement of House proceedings.  They alleged that the some ballot papers of the Bharatpur Metropolitan City polls were torn intentionally by representatives of the ruling parties.

Speaker Gharti Magar urged the protesting lawmakers to take their seats, but to no avail. CPN-Maoist Centre’s lawmaker Ram Narayan Bidari objected to House obstruction by the CPN-UML, but the speaker  refused to entertain his objection as the UML’s lawmakers stood from their seats.

Bidari complained that Speaker Gharti Magar adjourned parliamentaryproceedings every time UML lawmakers resorted to obstruction. “House proceedings were not adjourned when the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Madhes-based parties and  CPN-MC lawmakers obstructed the Parliament in the past,” Bidari told The Himalayan Times.

Due to  UML lawmakers’ obstruction, the speaker could not read out a letter sent by  President Bidhya Devi Bhandari telling the House  to elect  a new prime minister on the basis of majority.

The ruling parties had planned to begin the election for a new prime minister today but the House could not start the process, said Bidari.

UML’s Deputy Parliamentary Party Leader Subash Chandra Nembang told The Himalayan Times  that the House proceedings would  start normally only after the ruling parties create conducive environment and fulfil the opposition’s demands.

Speaker Gharti Magar adjourned the House till 11:00am on June 4 following UML lawmakers’  obstruction.

The UML alleged that the ruling CPN-MC and Nepali Congress representatives had intentionally torn some ballot papers to hold re-election in Bharatpur Metropolitan City.

The UML leaders have also made it clear to the Election Commission that re-polling  in Bharatpur   would not be acceptable to them.

Yesterday, the Election Commission directed the chief returning officer and the probe committee formed to investigate the Bharatpur vote counting fracas to submit a  report on the number of ballot papers torn during vote counting. The EC also instructed the committee to give a report on the number of ballot papers that remain to be counted.

Earlier, the Election Commission had formed a three-member monitoring team to carry out investigation into the tearing of ballot papers in the course of counting votes of Ward No 19 of Bharatpur Metropolitan City.

The probe team furnished its report yesterday.

Vote counting of the Bharatpur Metropolitan City remains suspended after the incident. Devi Prasad Gyawali from the CPN-UML and Renu Dahal from the CPN-MC are in the race for mayoral post in Bharatpur Metropolitan City.