Constitutional amendment and holding of local level elections are unrelated matters. Electoral boycott would seek to nullify the supremacy of parliament

The local level elections have already been announced for May 14 after prolonged uncertainty and gathering pressure from various quarters. The elections for the other two tiers of government in the country–-provincial and federal—will have to be organized after that without losing any time as the constitutional deadline for all the three tiers of the elections is just eleven months away. Failure to accomplish these tasks on time would plunge the country into uncertainty, with a serious risk of the gains made so far with huge sacrifices made over a long period of time slipping away. But a disastrous trend among certain political quarters is becoming visible that they do not seem to be concerned about this constitutional deadline. Some are saying that the local level elections should be held on a non-party basis; some are arguing that the elections are impossible without passing the amendment bill (as demanded by the Madhesi Front); some are calling for the formation of an all-party government to hold the elections; some are urging the suspension of the elections; the Madhesi Front is threatening to boycott the elections if the constitutional amendment as desired by it is not passed.

Making an issue of such things can only be said to be irresponsible political behavior despite knowing that the failure to hold the elections would put the Constitution itself in peril and make the political parties indefensible. Apart from the government’s constitutional amendment bill, other amendments have also been tabled. Whether the bill is passed or not, and if passed in what revised form, remains to be seen. But the Madhesi Front’s threat of boycotting the elections if the constitution is not amended according to its demand is simply undemocratic and irresponsible. First of all, constitutional amendment and holding of local level elections are unrelated matters. Electoral boycott over this issue would seek to nullify the supremacy of the parliament. Any political party could make such an outrageous demand and meeting it would only ditch democracy.

Majority must be granted: this is what democracy is all about. Otherwise any democratic constitution would be meaningless. Every political party should accept the result of the parliamentary vote on the amendment proposals whatever it may be; and if there arose any dispute of constitutionality, then there is the Supreme Court with the ultimate authority of interpreting it. But the government must move ahead resolutely to hold the polls even if some of the political groups decided to boycott the elections. In a democracy, usually it is not possible to satisfy all groups but all are required to honour the democratic process and the outcome that this process produces. Then things would start falling in their places automatically. Calls for a nonpartisan local level election or for the formation of an all-party government are also unreasonable, at least because these have not been incorporated into the Constitution. Such cases should have been made at the time of making or amending the Constitution. The government should not delay helping the Election Commission make all the preparations in such a short time, such as making available the LBRC report.

Effective service

Palpa district has set an example on reducing infant and maternal mortality rate after the District Public Health Office (DPHO) started implementing the Mother Security Programme at various parts of the district five years ago. Following the implementation of the programme the number of expectant women seeking help to give birth at health centres under the observation of well-trained doctors and midwives has increased as proof of effectiveness of the programme in rural areas. DPHO officials said that the programme contributed a lot to lessen infant and maternal mortality rate.

This programme has been launched in 25 areas of the district. The expectant mothers receive health service free of charge in these health institutes. As per the provision, an expectant woman is provided Rs. 400 for four prenatal check-ups and Rs. 1,000 each as travel fare. Such programmes should also be made effective in other districts, particularly in the mid-western hills, where a large number of expectant mothers tend to give birth in dingy cowsheds, instead of the health facilities.