Nepal pol. parties reject royal declaration on civic polls
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, April 15 -- Rejecting King Gyanendra's declaration on holding municipal elections, major political parties today said the exercise would be meaningless unless democratic rights are restored and political prisoners freed, reports Press Trust of India.
"Free and fair elections are impossible at a time when the entire country and its people are kept under captivity," Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala said at a function here yesterday.
Reacting to the King's announcement of holding municipal elections within a year, Koirala demanded that the authorities create a conducive atmosphere for political activities, restoration of freedom of expression and release of all the political detainees before holding municipal elections.
Terming the King's announcement as "unilateral", the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) said the Palace could have consulted with political parties, or the actors of the political system before announcing polls.
"Such a unilateral move further complicates the turmoil rather than help bring it to an end," he said.
Meanwhile, the CPN-UML issued a statement extending greetings on the Nepalese New Year's day yesterday and expressed the hope the new year would bring lasting peace and complete democracy through a joint people's movement.
Gyanendra had yesterday announced that municipal polls would be held within a year to "activate the democratic process" in the Himalayan Kingdom, more than two months after he seized power ousting the elected government.
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::IRNA No.042 15/04/2005 19:23 --End
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