Nepal EC sets date for filing Madheshi nominations

Kathmandu, Feb 29: The Election Commission (EC) of Nepal has fixed new dates for the filing of nomination papers for the April 10 Constituent Assembly (CA) election for Madhesi parties, who have withdrawn their agitation and signed an eight-point deal with the government.

The EC decided on Feb 21 evening to allot March 2 as the last date for the filing of a closed list for proportional representation based election. The EC has also fixed March 6 as the last date for the filing of nomination papers for direct election. The EC made the decision following the request by the government to allow the remaining parties to contest election. The EC has also halted other election programmes till March 6 to allow the new nominations to proceed first. Earlier, 39 parties had filed closed list for proportional election and 33 parties had filed candidacies for direct election. Meanwhile, the situation in Terai is gradually returning to normalcy after the United Democratic Madhesi Front withdrew its 16-day-long agitation upon reaching an agreement with the government.

The market places have opened and the most educational institutions resumed their classes. Vehicles have started plying on the streets. The local administration has withdrawn curfew imposed in various districts from Thursday. In Duhabi, Sunsari, the curfew has been withdrawn from 6 a.m. today. Meanwhile, local people there continue to celebrate the victory of reaching agreement with the government.

However, the ongoing strike in eastern districts continues to affect the daily livelihood there. The Federal Republican National Front, a coalition of nine ethnic groups, has called an indefinite strike in eastern hilly districts forwarding various demands. The talks between the government and the FRNF is expected to reach a conclusion today.

ANI