Kathmandu, October 16:

Legal experts and members of civil society today said that parliamentary election would not serve the purpose of peace and stability unless the state addresses the issues raised by the Maoists.

They were of the view that setting deadline for the parliamentary election was against the ‘constitutional spirit’ which expects ‘conducive atmosphere’ for holding any election without fear and threat.

The King in his October 12 address to the nation on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami announced that he had ordered the Election Commission to conduct parliamentary election within the year 2063 BS.

“Setting deadline for parliamentary election that is going to be held one-and-half-years later will have no meaning as similar announcements made during the premierships of Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Surya Bahadur Thapa and Sher Bahadur Deuba did not materialise,” said former law minister Nilambar Acharya at the Reporters’ Club.

“The King should first give up chairmanship of the council of ministers if he really wants to hold the general elections in a free and fair manner,” he said, adding, the deadline for the parliamentary election was set to protect himself from international isolation.

Former justice of the Supreme Court Krishna Jung Rayamajhi said that nothing has been mentioned about the Maoists, who are the main cause of political instability and constitutional crisis, while setting the deadline for general polls.

Shambhu Thapa, president of the Nepal Bar Association, said that it would be impossible to conduct any election without creating conducive environment for the same. “It is not the question of holding election; the question is to resolve the conflict that has already claimed the lives of more than 15,000 people,” he said.

He said the government should have utilised the Maoists’ unilateral ceasefire as an opportunity to find lasting solution to the crisis rather than opting for elections.

President of Civil Society for Peace and Development Dr Sundar Mani Dixit said the general election would have no credibility if it is held amidst the boycott of the major parties and the Maoist threat of reprisal. He said the deadline for general polls without resolving the Maoist crisis was like putting the cart before the horse.

Himalaya Shumsher Rana said the political parties are suspicious that the general election would be held amidst massive rigging given the appointments of zonal and regional administrators. He said election was the only alternative to restore constitutional process.