Join in, Regmi tells poll-opposing parties

KATHMANDU, JUN 15 -
A day after the Interim Election Government announced new Const-ituent assembly elections for November 19, government Chairman Khil Raj Regmi on Friday urged poll-opposing parties to join the poll process and end the political deadlock.

In his first televised address to the nation after taking charge as the head of the government in March, Regmi said all parties and individuals committed to multi-party democracy and parliamentary system should be part of the election process.

“I request all the forces protesting the government formation and election announcement to sit for dialogue and create an environment conducive to holding the elections,” Regmi said.

Some political parties, mainly the Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist, the Federal Socialist Party and the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal, have announced programmes in protest against the formation of the Regmi government and the move to announce the poll date.

They have been demanding that agreements among the major parties signed before appointing Chief Justice Regmi as the head of the government be scrapped.

Of the protesting parties, the FSP and the MJF-Nepal have applied for registration at the Election Commission and they have been demanding Regmi resign as chief justice as he remaining the head of the executive and the judiciary is against the principle of separation of powers.

The CPN-Maoist has demanded replacement of the Regmi government with a political one, while it has also not applied for registration at the EC.

In his 17-minute address, Regmi warned that instability could stay on, democracy could weaken and frustration could go up if the election was deferred time and again. He said the government under him was formed as per the doctrine of necessity and that he accepted the position for the people and the nation.

On the issue of separation of powers, Regmi said his detachment from judiciary-related activities meant he highly respected the institution.

“The basic principle of separation of powers is that an individual or institution should not deal with two different work and there should not be judicial control over parliamentary activities,” said Regmi, adding, “Currently, I am functioning as the head of the government and detached myself completely from the judiciary.”

Saying that he is a free, partial justice, Regmi assured the political parties and the people that the upcoming CA elections will be free and fair.

Prez nod to poll ordinance

President Ram Baran Yadav on Friday endorsed an ordinance to amend the Constituent Assembly Member Act. The government had on Thursday forwarded the ordinance to the President’s office by removing the disputed threshold provision.

Labels: National News