KATHMANDU: The political landscape is abuzz with anticipation as the National Assembly (NA) elections draw near.
Parties are strategizing both internally and externally to gear up for the event scheduled for January 25.
The elections will exclusively feature participation from province parliamentarians and local-level leaders, including chiefs, deputy chiefs, presidents, and vice presidents.
The Election Commission (EC), responsible for overseeing the electoral process, has allocated specific vote weights for eligible participants.
A recent notice issued by the EC calls for parties to apply for registration within office hours, in line with Schedule-12 of the Regulations on Political Parties, 2074, as stipulated by Article 271 of the Constitution and Section 48 of the Political Parties Act, 2073.
The upcoming National Assembly election process timeline includes the registration of candidacies by January 8, the acceptance of complaints against candidates until January 9, the publication of the final list on January 11, and candidate withdrawal from January 12 to January 13, between 10 am to 1 am, and voting on January 25.
Barring any unforeseen changes, it appears likely that the coalition candidates will secure victories across the board in the upcoming National Assembly elections.
The Commission has also outlined the schedule for assigning election symbols to candidates.
Rulong coalition looks stronger
Under the new constitutional system, the vote weight of a state assembly member is 53, while local level leaders, including heads, deputy heads, presidents, and vice presidents, carry a vote weight of 19.
Analyzing the vote share by province reveals a robust presence of the ruling coalition across all regions.
In the Koshi province, boasting 93 provincial assembly members and 137 local levels, the coalition enjoys a strong foothold with a total vote weight of 10,135.
A total of 274 local leaders contribute to this weight, representing the power of the coalition in this province.
Similarly, the Madhes Province, with 107 provincial assembly members and 272 local level leaders, has a considerable vote weight of 839,000.
Here, coordination with the central coalition significantly bolsters the coalition parties’ vote share.
In Bagmati Province, where 119 provincial assembly members and 238 local level leaders operate across 119 local levels, the coalition secures a substantial share of votes, with a total of 348 voters influencing the electoral landscape.
Meanwhile, the influence of coalition parties is palpable as the National Assembly elections approach, with each province showcasing their collective strength.
In Bagmati province, the combined vote weight of the coalition parties stands at a formidable 10,352.
The provincial government, comprising the Nepali Congress, Maoist Center, and Unified Socialist, commands a significant presence.
The coalition enjoys overwhelming support, accumulating a total of 6,751 votes.
Moving to Gandaki Province, where 85 local levels coexist with 60 state assembly members, the alliance maintains a robust position with a total vote weight of 6,410.
The coalition secures 3,774 votes, demonstrating a substantial foothold in this region.
Lumbini Province also stands as a stronghold for the coalition parties, boasting 87 state assembly members and 119 local levels.
With 218 local leaders, the province carries a total vote weight of 8,753, of which the coalition claims 5,477 votes.
The coalition government, featuring Nepali Congress, Maoist Center, Loktantrik Samajwwadi Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party, and Janata Samajwadi Party, garners support from the Janamorcha and the Unified Socialist Party.
In Karnali Province, with 79 local levels and 40 provincial parliaments, the coalition maintains a substantial presence.
Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary Bhishmaraj Angdambe has clarified that formal discussions within the NC regarding the National Assembly elections are yet to take place.
The coalition, comprising Maoist, Congress, and United Socialists, holds a total vote weight of 5,122, with 3,707 votes in favor.
The Sudurpaschim Province also reflects the dominance of the uruling coalition, with 53 state assembly MPs and 88 local levels.
The province records a total vote weight of 6,153, with Congress, Maoist Center, and United Samajwadi Party securing 4,510 votes in favor of the alliance. Notably, the Civil Liberties Party is part of the governing coalition in this province.
The prevailing trend across all provinces suggests a robust and well-established coalition government.
Barring any unforeseen changes, it appears likely that the coalition candidates will secure victories across the board in the upcoming National Assembly elections.
Preparation of the Coalition
As the coalition parties gear up for the National Assembly elections, their preparations involve strategic coordination, mobilization of supporters, and refining their electoral campaigns.
The parties are focused on maintaining unity within the alliance and ensuring effective communication with the electorate to secure a successful electoral outcome.
Nepali Congress Gears Up for National Assembly Elections
The Nepali Congress, a major force in the country, is setting the stage for the upcoming National Assembly elections.
With its status as the largest party and a key component of the coalition, the Nepali Congress appears poised to vie for the chairmanship in the elections.
Leaders within the party are currently immersed in internal preparations to ensure a strong showing.
A prominent figure in the discussions for the role of Speaker in the National Assembly is Congress leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula.
Despite the certainty of the alliance standing against the CPN-UML in the National Assembly elections, the UML appears focused on preventing alliance unity.
However, sources within the party indicate that Bimalendra Nidhi is also a priority candidate, showcasing the deliberations underway.
Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary Bhishmaraj Angdambe has clarified that formal discussions within the NC regarding the National Assembly elections are yet to take place.
Krishna Prasad Poudel, Chief Secretary of the Congress Central Office, echoed a similar sentiment, stating that the issue is pending discussion at district and state conventions.
Congress Vice President Dhanraj Gurung affirms the alliance’s continuity in the National Assembly elections, emphasizing that no discussions have occurred about altering the alliance’s character.
Likewise, the Maoist Center asserts its commitment to maintaining the alliance in the National Assembly elections.
Maoist General Secretary Dev Gurung emphasizes the common goals shared within the alliance, citing that seat allocations are contingent on each party’s capacity.
Ubified Samajwadi Party Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal unequivocally states that the coalition will participate in the National Assembly elections, asserting that there is no alternative to collaboration.
He predicts the coalition will secure 19 seats in the upcoming elections.
Janata Samajwadi Chairman Upendra Yadav reiterates the alliance’s continuity in the National Assembly elections, expressing confidence in securing all seats based on the coalition’s robust vote share.
Detailed discussions on seat allocations will occur based on consensus, he says.
UML’s Approach and the Coalition Challenge
Despite the certainty of the alliance standing against the CPN-UML in the National Assembly elections, the UML appears focused on preventing alliance unity.
UML General Secretary Shankhar Pokhrel indicates that the party is currently preoccupied with the Mahakali Mechi campaign and has not delved into National Assembly election discussions.
UML Deputy Secretary General Pradeep Gyawali states that the UML will initiate discussions on the National Assembly elections after completing its ongoing campaign, scheduling discussions about character and other aspects in Kathmandu.
He asserts that the UML remains formidable, even if contesting alone, downplaying any perception of weakness in terms of vote share in light of the coalition’s advances in the National Assembly elections.
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