Nepal postpones local elections to June 23

In a bid to ensure the participation of agitating Madhes-based parties, the Nepal government on Monday deferred the second phase of local elections by nine days to June 23.

According to a cabinet decision, as per the demands of Madhesis, some electoral provisions will be amended fast so that they can register their parties and get the elections symbols.

But the government is silent on two key demands of the Madhesi parties, namely the amendments in the new constitution to make it more Madehes-friendly and inclusive, and increasing the numbers of local level units in the plains known as Terai or Madhes.

After repeatedly failing to amend the constitution, the government had decided to increase the numbers of local units in Terai region, a move subsequently stayed by the Supreme Court.

As their demands remain unfulfilled, it is still unclear if the Madhes-based parties will join the polls in June 23.

The cabinet also decided to request the Supreme Court to vacate its interim order against the government's decision to increase local units in Terai region.