No contigency plan if elections don’t take place in November

AUG 26 -
Even as the country heads stridently towards elections in November with the political parties stepping up their campaigning, talks between the four party High-level Political Committee (HLPC) and the CPN-Maoist-led bloc of 33 parties broke down on Saturday. The poll-opposed parties have threatened stern protests if talks do not continue. On the other hand, the government and the Election Commission (EC) have stepped up preparations for elections, with the second round of voter registration coming to a close on Friday. In this context, the Post’s Anil Giri and Pranaya SJB Rana spoke to Home Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Madhav Prasad Ghimire about the prospects of elections in November, electoral security plans and the technocratic government’s relations with the political parties.

How certain are you that elections will take place on November 19?

The elections will definitely happen. The political parties are ready and there is a desire for elections. The government is also dedicated to elections and all necessary preparations are moving forward. Third, the Election Comm-ission has sped up its preparations. Voter registration came to a close a few days ago with around 12.5 million voters registered. Every day, a positive atmosphere for elections is being created.

What challenges remain for elections?

There are three kinds of challenges. First, there are some political parties that are still dissatisfied with the election process. But the government and the political parties are trying to address their demands with bilateral and multilateral talks through formal and informal channels. Second, there are concerns over electoral security. There are a few armed and criminal groups that need to be dealt with. Third, we will need to keep the election atmosphere intact.

In addition to these, there are a few crosscutting, logistical issues that will still need to be addressed by the government.

Why has the government not been able to address the demands of the agitating parties yet?

Not all of their demands can be addressed in the current political climate. For many of them, we need a Constituent Assembly (CA) and for a CA, we need elections. There are also concerns about the current political process. There is dissatisfaction on how this government was formed. But our thinking and actions need to be oriented towards the future, we cannot go back on the political process that has already come so far. Either way, going back is not possible constitutionally or practically. There are other demands that we can discuss but they will need to be debated in parallel with preparations for elections. This was not acceptable to the agitating parties either. They have refused to agree to elections on November 19. They had also demanded a roundtable meeting, so we asked them who would be taking part in the roundtable, what issues would be discussed and how legitimate would the decisions made be? These details were never made clear. Then, the government offered to hold an all-party meeting and listen to everyone’s demands. But again, this was not acceptable.

Given these security-related challenges, what security measures have been planned?

We have alerted all our security agencies across the country and they are evaluating their positions and preparing accordingly. Electoral security has a few main components—one, to hold free and fair elections; two, to prevent any activities from any party that are aimed at disrupting elections; third, to create a safe environment for all political parties to conduct election-related activities; and fourth, to create a secure environment where voters can walk out of their homes, go to the voting booth and cast their ballot without fear. Preparations to guarantee these are undergoing at the central, district and local levels. Right now, we are still evaluating what the risks and threats are and where they could take place. We cannot reveal our plans just yet but we are confident that we will be able to provide the security required. We should not forget that Nepal has always successfully held elections. Our state administration and our security forces have great experience in holding elections. There will be around 10,000 voting stations. We will need to secure all of them and the voters and candidates there. We will mobilise all of our security agencies for this.

Is it true that temporary personnel will be recruited for electoral security?

In the last CA election, around 80,000 temporary security personnel were mobilised. That will not happen again. The security situation is better and our state agencies have the necessary manpower. We will only recruit a minimum number of temporary personnel and even then, we will prioritise those with experience in providing security, like former army and police personnel. We have yet to decide on the exact number but it will as minimum as possible.

Could you elaborate on the role of the Nepal Army in providing security?

We will proceed according to established international practices while also taking into account the needs of the nation. We will mobilise all the human resources at our disposal to make certain that elections are free and fair. In 2008, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) had confined the Army to barracks so they were not mobilised. But in earlier elections, the Army was always used. So we are evaluating when and where to mobilise the Army, the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force (APF). There are vital state institutions where the Nepal Police or APF is currently providing security. If we replace them with the Army, that surplus of security personnel can be mobilised elsewhere for elections. There are many areas where security will be required, like during the printing and transporting of ballot papers or even to provide psychological security to voters through regular patrols. For all of these, the government is in the midst of coming up with some specific Rules of Engagement.

In case the elections don’t take place on November 19, what are your alternatives?

The government has not entertained the hypothesis that elections might not take place by the stated date. We have not thought about it and don’t think it is necessary to do so. Furthermore, there aren’t any alternative paths either. Even constitutionally, we cannot consider that elections will not take place in November. The people want elections and the government and political parties need to abide by this. Not holding elections in November would be irresponsible and once again, a betrayal of the people. So there is no contingency plan, no plan B.

As Foreign Minister, what has the response from the international community been like?

The international community is of the view that elections are necessary and is supportive of this government. Behind that support is the understanding

that the Nepali people want elections and that it is the only way out of the current political impasse. They recognise that this government was formed under special circumstances and with a specific mandate. Therefore, this government will be able to hold free and fair elections. But they did not come to this conclusion independently. They have evaluated the support of the political parties and the people towards this government and the government’s own dedication to elections.

Given that you are part of an apolitical government, how are your relations with domestic power centres like the political parties, the President and the Nepal Army?

We have whatever relations we are supposed to have with them, not more and not less. This is because we are not a political government. We have an equidistant relationship with all political parties. We are sometimes accused of being beholden to the four parties from the HLPC but that is not the case. They definitely had a role to play in the formation of the government but now, our relations are equal with all parties. We have a working relationship with all power centres and we consult them according to what is necessary to run the country, like making sure elections take place and that no party interferes in the holding of elections. We are very careful when it comes to a decision that might affect elections, as that is our mandate. If anything might delay or obstruct elections, we will not make that move.

On a final note, to what extent is the government willing to go to in order to make sure that elections are held on November 19?

This government will not compromise on any activities that threaten the federal, republican and democratic nature of this country. These are the gains of many revolutions and we are holding elections to write a constitution and preserve them. For all of Nepal’s history, the people have never been able to write a constitution. Any attempt to disrupt elections will be seen as an attack on the federal democratic republic and an attempt to stop the people from writing their constitution. The government will adopt any legal measure to prevent such activities. We will take any path to make sure that the elections are free, fair, safe and secure. Things are that serious.

Labels: Interview