KATHMANDU, Aug 22: At a time when government has directed Election Commission (EC) to prepare for holding local polls, the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) has demanded with the government to hold elections of the House of Representatives at first.

UDMF is for holding elections of House of Representatives at first and then only provincial and local elections. A meeting of UDMF Secretariat held on Monday demanded with the government to that end arguing that it will cease the current disputes over number of local units.

The government is for holding elections of all the three levels -- local, provincial and federal— sequentially as envisioned by the new constitution by mid-January, 2018. The UMDF has also demanded with the government to stop the works by Local Body Restructuring Commission until their grievances over borders of provinces are addressed.

“Our main demand is settling disputes over boundaries of provinces,” General Secretary of Rastriya Madhes Samajwadi Party, Kesha Jha told Republica Online, “So, we have demanded with the government to halt the restructuring of local bodies.”  

Meanwhile, the UDMF has expressed its disagreement with the government for failing to give a full shape to the commission formed to probe incidents during Madhes protest. 

A meeting of Council of Ministers had formed the commission headed by former Justice Girish Chandra Lal. But, the commission is yet to get a full shape.
 

 
• election commission
 
• united democratic madhesi front