Country gradually moving towards CA poll; 139 parties register at EC for CA poll

KATHMANDU: Although the fate of the election of the constituent assembly is yet to be decided, a total of 139 parties have registered at the Election Commission for the purpose of election of the constituent assembly.

Of the total registered parties 60 parties registered on Thursday itself, the last day to have the parties registered for the CA poll. “We wrapped up the registration process at 10pm,” EC ’s legal chief Madhau Regmi told media. Fifty-four parties were registered during the 2008 elections.

The CPN-Maoist and some other fringe parties that have been opposing the poll process, however, did not apply for registration.

Chief Election Commissioner Neelkantha Uprety said the increased number of political parties was an indication that how excited the political stakeholders are about the upcoming Constituent Assembly election. “If the EC needs to extend the deadline for the registration of political parties, and if the country deems it necessary in order to make the environment for polls conducive, we will show maximum flexibility and take an appropriate decision later,” Uprety said hinting that the door is not closed for the CPN-Maoist and other fringe parties to take part in the elections.

While the EC rejected applications of nine parties, citing lack of documents and proper process. According to EC officials, political parties will be allowed to contest the CA elections only after it verifies the documents and applications. “The signature verification process has started and it will end in a month,” Uprety said.