Nepal goes to civic polls amidst maoist threat
Dated 8/2/2006
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Kathmandu: Nepal goes for civic polls today, first since the takeover by King Gyanendra, under a tight security cover as government has ordered the forces to shoot anyone found disrupting the election.
As many as 2000 candidates are in the fray for more than 4000 seats in 58 municipalities.
Only 3000 candidates had filed nominations for the polls out of which many withdrew their names due to Maoist's threat while others were declared elected unopposed.
The Election Commission officials said the polls would be held later where nominations had not been filed.
''We know that the seats outnumber contestants in many municipalities but we will hold election (in such cases) after sometime'', an official told UNI.
Home Minister Kamal Thapa, while addressing a press conference yesterday said, ''The security personnel will be in charge of providing security for the polls.'' ''There will be no exception to the standing rule'' he said, adding that each and everyone should come up and exercise their right to franchise.
However, the seven major political parties in the Himalayan kingdom have appealed all the sections of the society to boycott the polls.
In a press release issued today, the top leaders of the parties have urged the international community not to recognise the elections.
