The parisad has opposed the EC move saying the voters´ registration should be conducted by provincial governments, not the central government, as the country is poised to go federal. [break]
According to the parisad chairman Kumar Lingden Mirak, the EC has asked them to form a seven-member talks team and come to the negotiating table. "The EC has appealed to us to halt the agitation and hold talks to settle the issue. But we are yet to decide whether to hold talks with the EC," he said.
The parisad also enforced a general strike in the eastern part of the country on Tuesday, demanding that the EC stop the registration campaign immediately. The EC has currently halted the registration campaign in some places due to fierce opposition from the parisad.
Life in most places of the nine eastern districts including Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Jhapa, terhathum, Dhankuta, Sunsari, Morang and Sankhauwasabha were paralyzed due to the strike. Vehicles remained off the roads while education institution remained closed during the strike.
The parisad has warned that it would intensify protests if its demands are not met. A central leader of the parisad Dil Kumar Fhombo said the strike was only symbolic and warned of strident struggle and physical action against EC officials if their demands are not met.
"As the country has already become a federal democratic republic, it is the work of the provincial government to collect the voters´ list," said Phombo. He termed the EC move as a conspiracy against federalism, and demanded formation of a separate Election Commission in Limbuwan.
The Madhes-based parties have also vehemently opposed the EC´s voters registration campaign in the Tarai saying the EC provision of compulsory citizenship will deprive thousands of people in the region of their voting rights as they have been left without citizenship for decades.
The EC campaign has been stalled in several parts of Tarai districts due to fierce opposition from the Madhes-based parties.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has stated that its attention has been drawn towards the grievances of many Nepalis who have not yet acquired their citizenship certificates.
In its statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry has urged people to acquire citizenships by producing legal documents to back their claim that they are Nepalis.
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