Kathmandu, January 25:

Security experts and small parties today urged the government to postpone the polls scheduled for February 8 due to security reasons. Indrajit Rai, a security expert, said that the election could not be held in present condition and it would not bring peace in the nation.

Speaking at a programme at the Media Group he said: “The one who has vowed to hold election will do it but who is going to bear the cost of it?” “This is the time to make decision – whether to jump into fire or postponing the election for the sake of security of the people,” he said.

He also said that international pressure has begun and it is also possible that Nepal may face blockade from a neighbouring country. Dr Karna Thapa, another security expert, said that instead of making election a prestige issue, all forces should abandon superiority or inferiority complexes and pass through the “narrow bridge” to reach a solution. Dr Bishnu Upreti, a conflict expert, said election cannot become a solution to the 12-year-old conflict.

“The government has chosen a wrong strategy and wrong process to handle the conflict, which is going to beget wrong result.”

Gore Bahadur Khapangi, chairman, Prajatantrik Janamukti Party, said his party was ready to take part in the polls but they were difficult. “After the murder of a to-be-candidate in Janakpur, many contesting parties might have thought about polls twice. And our party is one among them,” he said.

He also indicated that some change is coming soon in Nepali politics, which will give “new life” to the country.

Kuber Sharma, chairman of the Green Party Nepal, said his party would participate in the election at any condition.