Broadsheet dailies published in Kathmandu on Thursday have given space to a host of issues related to the upcoming elections. While most of the papers have given prominence to the Supreme Court’s order to the EC to print separate ballot papers for federal and provincial elections, others have chosen not to highlight the issue. Here’s a roundup of the front pages of today’s papers:
Important
Court order creates confusion
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that it was mandatory that the Election Commission used separate ballot papers for federal and provincial elections making it tougher for the poll body to conduct the first round of elections on November 26. Naya Patrika has a five-column explainer on the whole issue. In its report, the paper quotes ‘observers’ to say that Nepal would plunge into a constitutional crisis if the elections are postponed because of the ballot paper issue. It also says that the Election Commission has one whole month to print the ballot papers and it is still possible for it to comply with the court order. The commission can also print the ballot papers in two phases as the polls will take place on two different dates.
The Kathmandu Post quotes an anonymous Election Commission official to say that polls will not be possible on November 26 if separate ballot papers are to be printed.
Leftist alliance’s election manifesto draft ready
Leaders of the alliance between Nepal’s two main communist parties, the UML and the CPN-Maoist centre have prepared a draft of their common manifesto, according to Gorkhapatra. The paper quotes UML leader Pradeep Gyawali to say that the manifesto focuses on five points: to highlight the contribution of leftist forces during the promulgation of the constitution, to raise the issue of poverty alleviation, to advocate for nationalism and sovereignty, to adopt an inclusive approach towards development and to implement good governance.
Ignored
Govt’s taxi scheme for quake survivors fails
Though the government has issued new taxi permits to 1,500 quake survivors through lucky draws, to assist them with their livelihood, the people have little choice but to transfer the ownership of the cab. The Himalayan Times says that quake survivors who have received permits through the ‘lucky draw’ do not have the means to buy new cars to make use of their cab permits. The report says that more than 1,000 earthquake victims out of 1,200 who have acquired taxi permit, have already sold their permits.
Interesting
Candidates fly to constituency to withdraw candidacy
Naya Patrika reports that Maoist Centre’s Laxmi Gurung, Mainkumar Moktan and Hemanta Paudel chartered a helicopter to go to their constituency in Ramechhap to withdraw their candidacy.
UGC to map colleges across Nepal
The University Grants Commission says it is preparing to map all colleges and universities across the country to take stock of the number and distribution of students. The commission says that due to lack of proper records, the commission has been facing a lot of difficulties.
