There has been intense speculation on the exact date for the dissolution of the National Assembly and the caretaker setup. The coalition government has started consultations as it prepares to depart after the completion of the constitutional term.
The tenure of the current government ends on August 12. However, the government is planning to dissolve the assemblies a few days earlier on August 8. This is being done to take advantage of a law that allows to hold elections within 90 days if the assemblies are dissolved before their term, instead of the normal sixty days granted to conduct polls.
There has also been intense speculation on who will receive the post of caretaker prime minister. The slot has usually been given to retired judges or bureaucrats but this time it has been decided that a politician may be appointed for the posts. While it can be guessed who will receive the post, the interim prime minister will have a huge responsibility to conduct elections that can be generally acceptable for all parties, rather than triggering another rigging controversy.
Another controversy has been brewing regarding the constituencies for the next elections regarding electoral reforms. The census results have not been approved after objections of irregularities were raised by different parties and provinces. The government has now decided to conduct the polls based on the old 2017 census data, saying there is no time to draw up new constituencies.
Interestingly, the government has summoned a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on July 25 which could approve the census results. This would be the first CCI meeting of the PDM-led government, just days before it steps down. If notified, we would face a constitutional crisis that could threaten to delay the polls.
It seems that although there is consensus that elections should be held on schedule, there are also concerted efforts to undermine the next polls. It goes without saying that elections will lead to political stability in the nation. Any attempt to bring the next polls in jeopardy will not only deepen the political crisis but also erase attempts to bring economics. There is no reason to delay the polls but rather they should be held in a free, fair and transparent manner to strengthen the democratic process.
