The Prime Minister has pledged to announce a poll date very soon. The interim parliament passed three necessary election-related laws on Friday, which, according to chief election commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokhrel, ‘opened the door technically’ for the CA polls. The Election Commission has demanded 90 days after the fixing of election date to make the necessary preparations. That means the date needs to be announced within a week even barely to meet the deadline, i.e. to hold the polls in the closing week of the closing month of this Nepali calendar year. The seven political parties have decided to organise seven joint mass meetings in seven important towns to instil confidence into the people and build the electoral atmosphere. On their part, the Maoists, whose 22-point demand was the apparent cause of the postponement of the November 22 election, have declared that they will now go fully into the spirit of the election. Currently their central committee is busy drawing up the CPN-Maoist’s election strategy and manifesto.

These and some other signs, including the insistence of friendly countries on the scheduled conduct of the polls, appear encouraging. However, a large section of the public, including even those who are considered informed about national politics and count in their fields, are expressing doubts about the mid-April holding of the election. Therefore, it will be an important responsibility of the government and the political parties, particularly of those in power, to dispel these mists of doubt from public minds and eyes. Even holders of positions of authority, including the CEC, do not appear very assured that the state of internal security can guarantee a credible election. Some of the responsible members of big political parties are speaking in uncertain terms, using ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ regarding the forthcoming election.

Pessimists are citing more than one reason, including the Tarai unrest. While the pursuit of dialogue to calm the situation is sensible, there are both limits of time and concession that can now be offered ahead of the polls. By and large, hardly any of the major agitating groups could make its presence felt during the historic Jana Andolan, which has given all Nepalis, including the Madhesis, such freedom and things that most of them could hardly have fantasized about till not very long ago. Besides, as the Tarai accounts for about half the total numerical strength of the CA, those who claim to be the true representatives of the Madhesis should dare to face the election and seek to implement their agendas by winning their constituents’ hearts. To retain its legitimacy and to hold the election, the government must bring the law and order situation under control, in the Tarai and elsewhere, preferably by negotiation or, if that fails, by the use of judicious but sufficient force. Any hurdle to the peace process and to the election has to be shoved aside. Any failure to keep the date this time around will have wider and more unpleasant consequences, not least for the SPA government. All this calls for its unwavering resolution and rock-solid unity of the SPA. Now is the time for proof.