However, the constitutional body said it would soon start registering the new parties. EC had halted registration of new parties though those that broke away from the parties represented in the dissolved Constituent Assembly have been registered. [break]
Spokesperson of the EC Sharada Prasad Trital told Republica that the constitutional body would register new parties only after publishing a public notice, asking aspiring parties to come for registration.
However, the parties that have applied for registration have expressed concern over the delay.
“It is irresponsible of the Election Commission to delay registration of new parties," said Matrika Yadav who has applied for registration of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).
However, Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav said, "We had stopped registering new parties waiting for the new constitution to be promulgated. We had been waiting for enactment of new election laws for registration of new parties." However, Yadav said the legal division of EC has already been directed to look into the applications for registration of new parties.
Officials at the EC said the existing election laws need amendments for registration of new parties.
According to sources, EC has received applications from Rastrabadi Dal, Madhesi Yuva Lokatantrik Party, Lokatantrik Party Nepal, Rastriya Shiv Sena Party, Nepal Rastrabadi Party, Garib Ekta Samaj Party, Nepal, Yuva Nepal Party, Tharuhat Tarai Party, Nepal and Hindu Rastra Nepal for registration.
Similarly, other parties seeking registration are Rastriya Sama-Mukti Party, Madhes Tarai Forum, United Nepal Republican Party, Gandaki Dhawalagir Marxist Leninist Dal, Loktantrik Gandhibadi Party, Janamorcha Nepal, Nepal Dalit Party and Tarai Madhes Himal Ekta Party.
Likewise, EC has received applications from the CPN (Maoist), Manch Sambaddha Sanghiya Limbuan Rajya Parishad and Sanghiya Limbuwan Rajya Parishad.
EC officials said 10-17 peoples visit the commission everyday to inquire about registration of new party. According to Yadav, altogether 74 political parties registered for the CA polls in 2008 while 54 had participated. Altogether 86 political parties are registered in EC.
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