Kathmandu, April 1:

Legal Experts today expressed concern about a consensus between top leaders of the eight political parties on holding the Constituent Assembly elections on Ashad 6 (June 20). They said the decision contradicts a provision in the Interim Constitution-2007 which states that the polls should be held within the month of Jestha.

“It is the responsibility of the state to hold the elections within Jestha 2064 BS (June 2007).The government cannot defer the date without first amending the constitution,” former president of Nepal Bar Association, Shambhu Thapa, told this daily. The political parties today reached a consensus to defer the polls by six days. “This shows that we are not abiding by the constitution, but are dominated by the interest of the politicians.” Under the responsibilities, directive principles and policies of the sate, the Interim Constitution has a provision to hold the CA polls within the month of Jestha.

Senior advocate Shree Hari Aryal also questioned the decision of the political parties. “The government cannot defer the poll date without amending the constitution,” he said. However, NBA president, Bishwakanta Mainali, said the poll provision is not an operative part of the statute and may not be strictly followed.