Was the election a grand success ??

[Rajiv]

I personally think it was a great success. Despite of all threat from Maos and boycott strike by Alliance, people used their right and they revealed that most of them wanted to vote. Alliance is now probably saying, there was a lots of cheatings. So what? This happened always. I read the article by Ms. Preeti Koirala in Nepalnews today. I liked that article very much. We had a short conversation through email. She sounds very patriotic and keeps Information of many political Issues. In short I find her very active and talent. Unlike most of other writers, she writes directly what she thinks of (No Angst at all). And actually there is no matter to have Angst. However I know few people, who are in Higher position in nepal and are keen of writing on many Issues but they are cautious, and this cautiousness pulls their pen back. Anyway here the article from nepalnews, pls read this if u haven't yet and give your review:

[Rajiv]

Holding of Municipal Elections: Victory for All By Preeti Koirala

Finally, the sovereign people of Nepal have exercised their constitutional right to choose their own elected representatives for the 58 municipalities of the country. This constitutional right was denied to them by successive governments since the elected Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba dissolved all the elected institutions in 2002. This election is clearly a victory of the ballot over the bullet. Despite the 7-day bandh called by the Maoists, regardless of the boycott called by the seven agitating parties and in the face of EU’s ridiculous warning that these elections are a step backward for democracy, the people of Nepal came in fairly good numbers to cast their vote. Democracy which was derailed by the elected Prime Minister in agreement with the major political parties has now been partly restored. These freshly elected Mayors, Deputy Mayors, and Ward Officials are the only existing elected representatives in the country today. They have much more authority to talk of people’s sovereignty, total democracy and freedom than G P Koirala and Madhav Kumar Nepal who were last elected way back in 1999 or the Maoist leaders who were never elected except inside dens of their jungle hideouts.

A local resident submitting his vote at Koteshwor during the Municipal Elections being held countrywide, Wednesday, Feb 08 06. nepalnews.com/rr

It is, indeed, a victory of democracy, triumph of people power over muscle force and a conquest of good reason over negative publicity. King Gyanendra was precise when he said in his February 1st address last week, “democrats don’t lose when democracy wins.” He has been proven right by the Nepali people and in the ultimate analysis that’s what actually counts. If municipal elections can be held in Nepal with Maoist attacks in Palpa and Panauti, running over a police post in Thankot and attack on two candidates and a lone taxi driver, then this nation should unmistakably gear up for general elections for the parliament without wasting any more time. The Maoist myth has now been very badly shattered. Therefore, the Kantipur interview of the Maoist leaders in which they have called for talks with the royal government doesn’t come as a surprise. Nepali security forces have been able to conduct the elections in a free and fair manner with far little violence compared to the fear psychosis and the illusion that was created by the Maoists and their sympathizers in the local media not to mention the panic attack among certain vested interest groups including diplomats stationed in Kathmandu. When it came on the very day of the voting, the Maoists could do nothing. We wasted four years in contemplating whether or not the elections are feasible in lieu of the Maoist brutality and their guns running amok across the country. But a sensible way forward would have been conducting these elections one by one and then filling up the positions of elected representatives as envisaged by the constitution. Kudos must go to the present government for at least filling up one semblance of democracy. The parliament and the village level elections must now quickly follow. If some people want to disrupt the polls and bar the sovereign people in exercising their constitutional right, they must be placed under house arrest till the elections are over. This is done everywhere in the world especially in and around the Indian sub-continent.
The seven agitating parties, too, who claimed to have the backing of the people through their sponsored rallies could neither stop the people in participating in these elections nor disturb the poll proceedings in a significant manner. Except media support and occasional backing by one section of the international community, their influence in Nepali politics has diminished to near zero. Just like the myth of the Maoists, the image of the US, UK, India and EU too have been devastated at the level of the Nepali people. By calling for the restoration of democracy but not supporting elections, they showed that they have some hidden agenda to implement inside a messy Nepal. This writer had been writing time and again in this column that the parties should not boycott elections, rather participate in them, come out victorious and then do whatsoever they would like to do as regards to the constituent assembly, talks with the Maoists, etc. But by leaving the space wide and open, they have committed a historic blunder. Now, there are Mayors and Deputy Mayors in all 58 municipalities freshly and legally elected by the sovereign people who will be executing their jobs as per the wishes of the people of their respective areas. They were sadistically enjoying as the media reported the withdrawal of candidature by some candidates but failed to recognize that constitutionally elected representatives can neither be sacked nor negated. Unfortunately, it is too late now.
Elections in conflict-ridden countries are always difficult to conduct. Thousands of American soldiers were killed in run-up to elections in Iraq and Afghanistan. But by not holding elections and thus leaving a political vacuum, what we were essentially doing was providing room to the Maoists. This needs to be corrected by promptly holding the elections to the parliament and the village level. Of course there will be Maoist violence and killings but they need to be conducted anyhow just like in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Indian state of Assam because elections are the first prerequisite to democracy and without democracy insurgents always tend be at the advantage.
As far as the question of maximum people participation is concerned, the 2004 Presidential elections in the United States witnessed a mere 42.45 percent participation. George Bush received a majority of the popular vote: 50.73 percent to Kerry’s 48.27 percent. 50 percent of 42 percent of Americans means that Bush was elected to office by only 21 percent of American citizens. Ironically, this was a record turnout—the highest since 1968.
During the 1999 elections in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, despite the heavy presence of Indian Army troops the turnout was very low. It was just 13.8 percent in Anantanag and even less in the Baramulla. The Sangrama Assembly segment of Baramulla recorded the lowest of 2.5 while just 0.9 percent in the Anantanag constituency. Not a single vote was polled in about 180 polling stations in Kashmir as a whole. The call for a general strike (Bandh) by the All Party Hurriyat Conference evoked total response both on September 18 and October 4 paralyzing normal life in the Kashmir valley. All political parties, independent candidates, non-governmental groups, human rights activists, media (both domestic and foreign) and most importantly, the international community, seriously doubted the credibility of the elections and the results that followed it. Even in 2002, the assembly elections in the valley had to be conducted in four phases but only with an average turnout of about 44 percent. This is the predicament of the largest democracy on earth with the third largest standing army and a declared nuclear weapon status.
At least landlocked Nepal with far little security personnel and budget was successful in holding the municipal elections on a single day without much violence. Certainly, with the participation of the seven agitating parties, the voter turnout would have been far greater but it is their betrayal to this nation and to the sovereign people of Nepal that is to be solely blamed. They must realize that even without their participation, people have indeed come out to vote and despite the Maoist terror warnings, all the 58 Mayoral posts are now filled. Only famous dictatorships like Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and Mugabe’s Zimbabwe witness 99 percent voter turnout. Had Nepal not been a democracy and if the Election Commission was a pawn of regression, the voter turnout could have been easily maneuvered to camouflage the international community.
But have the political parties lost their political gamble? Should they be totally demoralized? Definitely not. Democracy is such a wonderful system of governance that there is a legitimate place for everybody- all the time. They must now repent for their past mistakes, reconcile with the King and contest in the parliamentary and village level elections. Talks with the Maoists can come up as soon as the new parliament is formed thus providing legal and constitutional legitimacy to the ‘give and take’ that may take place with the insurgents. Failing to grasp this new political reality will only be a waste of time. Resorting to brick-batting on the streets and calling for continual Nepal-bandhs will only alienate themselves with the common man.

[Love Nepal]

You have brought out a very interesting topic for discussion medicus.
I read preeti koirala's last writeup too,she blasted Patrick Leahey a hawkish democrat who is fascinatingly interested in bringing peace to our country,we should remember that not many americans know the name of our country and this guy has spoken in the senate for five times to ask his gov. to help nepal!!After reading her writeup and comparing it to whatever i have learnt about Mr.leahey i did not even read this article until u posted it here.I dont doubt anyone's patriotic feelings and i have a strong feeling that if this conflict has done anything good in this violent decade,then it is that, it has flared up the Patriotic feeling among concious nepalese.And we should discuss about all these things.As the saying goes in sanskrit "baade baade jaayete tatwabodha",discussions will bring out the turth.

Our priority right now is PEACE not POLITICS,and the king is playing politics.King gyanendra is the person who created this mess and he should clear it up by calling all the parties and the maoists for talks.He doesnt want to do it coz once we reach a consensus he wont have a place in the government.There is an interview that i watched in ekantipur.com of Mr.Kishore Nepal( a renowned journalist,as we all know),he has conducted his discussion programme in 120+ places in 70 districts in nepal,mostly in villages,he said(with tears in his eyes) people in the villages were happy during the ceasefire because they could LIVE,thats all, and by not reciprocating, the King has left the villagers thinking that THIS IS NOT OUR GOVERNMENT,THIS DOESNT CARE FOR US,this feeling is a fertile ground for dissent!! He was asked why the king didnt feel for the people and he said...."Ma thulo vanne aham" i think he is dead right!!You can see the part of the interview in the present programme of Bijay pandey in ekantipur.com(prog.name is frontline).

If he thinks that nepalese people like him so much then why doesnt he call the election for constituent assembly? He knows people dont like him,many nepalese like me still feel that he killed his elder brother,our beloved king Birendra and the new constitution hence formed may kick him off the country.So he threw this last dice to save this gamble and he failed miserably,i call this election an outright failure because the king did not achieve what he was looking for.
Even i hate our politicians,they are corrupt,they are dumb and i wish i could line them up in TUDIKHEL and ask every nepali to spit of their face.But its not their democracy,its ours.Tomorrow one of us can rise above the rest and lead our nation to glory,because in democracy if people trust us we can do it.But now u are noteworthy if only the king or his chamchas like u,which is rediculous.I was amazed to hear the king's spokesperson and the communication minister say" all the professionals,journalists,foreign countries" are against the king.I thought who is left then,if all the learned people hate you,i guess you should go and see your face in the mirror first!!

Lets talk about the election.

1.Why was it held in the first place?
To give legitamecy to the king's government in the eyes of the foreign countries and the UN.Thats all.It doesnt solve the problem in anyway.We already had the "manonit" people there.We need the presence of government in the villages,gov.presence is already there in the cities.King just wanted to show that he can hold election so he would fix the date for the next election for villages and rule till that time,then fix the date for general election and rule till that time and hence forth he will keep on ruling against the will of the people.

2.How much did nepalese participate?
The participation was below 10% in the major cities and only in the cities bordering india there was around 40-60% turn out.Says a lot to me!!The total figure was 20% participation.If only 20% people participate in the election even after u have made ur civil servents participate compulsarily,that would be hunderds of thousands including their families,then if it isnt low turnout,what is?

3.Who are the people that have won?
peon of schools,sweepers......and the list goes on.In banepa the mayor had no other contestant to compete with.He is a bus driver and the UPAMAYOR..is his wife,the youngest among his four.Do you guys want our country to be ruled by these scumbags,i dont.

4.Who is impressed?
The people arent,the international media isnt,US,Japan,UN arent then who is????

Do you guys still think the election was a success or should it have been held in the first place??


I once watched an interview of Mr.Tulasi Giri,though he is an arrogant deputy of a overambitious king,he brought out one right thing though."Power cannot reside in two places".In twelve years of democracy we always had one or the other obstacle created by the DURBAR.As gagan thapa said once "democracy was not the problem,but less democracy was in those twelve years".The more i try to think and read our history,more i am convinced that we need to throw this king out if we are to imagine a better nepal.King Tribhuwan did it,King Mahendra did it and now his son is doing it.We just had enough,enough is enough,we dont want our future leaders to fear for the next ROYAL MOVE!!

If the king has some brain and can think he should immediately call for the maoists and the parties for talks and resolve this issue or else soon a time will come when people would no more be interested in talking to him!! Sadly he doesnt have a place to seek refuse from too,i guess he will go to africa,only there he is welcome and only there he will find autocrats like him from poor country like his.
Shree Pashupatinath,alikati buddhi deu,hamro raja lai.

[SUMAN-SAJAN]

But There Were Lot Of Proxies.

[Rajiv]

Thank you for your reviews. Love Nepal, I must say that you pointed out many things and I totally agree with them. But I want to suggest you something, who knows you will be Health minister in future or even President of Federal republic of Nepal. First thing please spare words like scumbags, while you are talking about a profession( peon, swipper,..) and second thing claim only those things, what you are sure of: I really don not know how came of the Idea to call me 'king's chamcha'? I accept everything you mentioned and these Infos are of great help, but only these two things sound kiddish, somethink like MKN (Madhav KN). Coz I am neither royalist nor I support Alliance or Mao. I just wanted a review on election, coz I know there are lot of ppl like you and other in xenoMED who are senior to me(and/or know much more than me) and I want to learn something from diverse Perspective. Sometimes comments are better than compliments, please take my words positively. So now let us talk on the matter.

You certainly mean the article in publicreview of preeti K. I had also read that. But bcoz of coming exams I did/do not want to know precisely about leahey case.

We know all Aces(KG, GK, MKN, Prachnda, BB,........n) of Nepal have made great mistakes. King had to talk with them without losing anytime. You are right it is surely the 'Aham bhawana' that ruined the chances. Non of them are less guilty. You have certainly also read the interview of Prachanda. Unfortunately questions were not enough. But from Prachanda's side it was all positive.
I would like to hear how you see the current things (post M. election time, prachanda's interview, Alliance' strike) , do you see any chances of new start ?

What I think is (in short, you can say a fantasy): All of three groups King, Alliance and Mao, have shown their aggression against one another and some even inside itself. Gov that put money on head of BB and P, are now more or less friends. Prachanda has clearly said he will accept what ever ppl say. King seems to be obstinate. I think they all need now time to cool down and rethink and King must be flexible and adviced possitively by some good guys ( who could that be?-- I personally trust on law makers). Ceasefire from both side must be given. And last but not least US,UK, India and EU shoud shut their mouth at least for a short period, they should better look problem in their own home at the time being.

[Rajiv]

Wow, Just read article by Ramchandra Poudel. I enjoyed reading it. I hope all NCPs will read this and ask themselves, the things highlightled by the Mahamantri jyu.

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnep...php?&nid=65110

[Love Nepal]

hi medicus i enjoyed the fact that you are among the few of our people who just dont read but also think about Nepal.As i said before if the maoist revolution has given us anything good then that is,it has flared up our patriotism.It also has surfaced the age long negligence the elite vested on the rural poor.
As per what i wrote,those words,if u really think about the meanings of them and compare it to the current administration i think u will get the point.About the peon,i think you have seen that lady in kantipur or blog sites,the peon of a school being brought to register her name by her principal i think she won as no one else contested as a ward chairman.About the sweeper,there is a sweeper in Pokhara who till few days back was sweeping the streets has now filed for Mayor's post and has only few people to beat.I am not degrading the work that they do,but their level of knowledge and the leadership abilities.

After reading the Prachanda interview only thing i can say is that he sounds more straight forward than our leaders and the current royalists.Trust is not something we can associate with him or his party,let them practice what they have preached.But one thing he was able to do with this interview is that,he has once again made clear that he is open for the solution to the current confict and he too doesnt like bloodshed and is waiting for the king to reciprocate his words.He knows and we all know the king is not going to do that.So, once again he will win the nerve game over the royalists.

As per your hope,i have lost all faith that this king will ever want to sit down and talk.He doesnt think that he needs to talk.He thinks this is his country which he has just got back and will rule it whatever happens to the poor nepalis.He will visit the villages and ask people whats your problem and comeback,do nothing about it and again visit the same place next year and do the same,the machinary is there to bring people from the villages to lineup and cry infront of him and i think he enjoys it.You really have to be a sadist to listen to people cry infront of you pleading for help and say that ok i will do this and that and just go back and forget it.BBC Nepali sewa had actually gone to the villages to ask people promised by the king if they have got anything,none have got anything.It is sad,and my suggestion is its futile to expect from a sadist.Only way for our country now is to get rid of him and his "angry young man" son.There is a recording of a talk programme attended by gagan thapa in NY in www.samudaya.org,i think he makes it pretty clear too as to why we are still the poorest in the world and what we need to do to make sure we dont remain there.

[studentcurious]

the average percentage of people voting in this election is only 20%...so how can anybody call it a election...and the major parties have not participated......if king is calling this electiona success....why can`t he call the election of constitutional assembly?the king seems to be interested only in his personal survival.......not the people`s .......this election is one part of the drama staged by KG and co`s................this election was a huge failure as far as my opinion is concerned

[Ajay]

what we ppl think abt the election is not so imp but what the international community thinks abt it is important. Actually king wanted to convince the international community that he is giving the power back in a democratic way but all the major donors of nepal as japan, EU, england n US were not convinced abt the way election was held with major parties excluded and many of their leaders in prison. Remember neither king nor the parties nor maoist think of ruling the country without the backing of these donors.

Kings intention may be genuine and there is no other way to restore democracy rather than the election but he shud have shown some flexibility to exclude the major parties.

But it is now proved that with good coordination with the security personnels election was always possible which the parties in their rein cudnt prove.