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Nepal Timeline - 2017

January 1

CPN-Maoist Revolutionary merged with Communist Nucleus Nepal, reports Republica. CPN-Maoist Revolutionary Chairman Mohan Baidya and Communist Nucleus Nepal Coordinator Bhupendra Neupane announced the merger amid a program in Kathmandu.

The ruling coalition decided to table the constitution amendment bill in parliament despite the obstruction by the main opposition CPN-UML and eight other fringe parties.

CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel speaking in a program organized by Press Chautari Nepal, Kathmandu said that the constitution amendment bill cannot be discussed in the parliament, as it is against the constitution.

SP Chairperson Rajendra Mahato speaking at a press meet organized by Press Forum in Siraha District warned all to beware of secessionist forces that would rise in the country if the statute amendments move and federalism failed.

January 2

Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee announced the second phase of protest programmes demanding a separate Tharuhat state, including Kailali and Kanchanpur through statute amendment.

Supreme Court cleared the decks for the Government to endorse the second Constitution amendment bill as it decided that an interim order should not be issued staying the bid.

January 3

The meeting of the Legislature-Parliament scheduled for 1 pm was postponed till January 8 as the main opposition, CPN-UML, has been obstructing the Parliament.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the country would move ahead with polls after forging unity among the mountain, hills and plains.

Claiming that the CPN-UML's repeated obstruction in the House meetings has threatened the Madhes' rights, SP Chairman Rajendra Mahato stated that the time has come to bid the CPN-UML a farewell from the Madhes region.

January 4

Federal Alliance at a meeting held in Kathmandu decided to seek amendment to Article 274 that 'prohibits revision of provincial boundaries without the consent of the provincial assembly concerned' said it would accept polls only after the constitution was amended.

January 5

NC, CPN-Maoist Center and UDMF at a tripartite meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence in Kathmandu decided to table the constitution amendment bill at the parliament meeting scheduled for January 8.

January 6

LBRC submitted a 1,718-page report to Minister of Local Development Hitraj Pandey recommending creation of 719 local bodies across the country.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli while addressing a mass rally of nine opposition political parties at Exhibition Road in Kathmandu threatened not to let Parliament endorse the constitution amendment bill at any cost.

January 8

Government tabled the Constitution Amendment Bill amid protests from opposition party lawmakers.

Nine opposition parties including the main opposition CPN-UML vowed to thwart the Amendment Bill.

January 9

Parliament held uninterrupted meeting after one and half months. The opposition lawmakers decided to let the House move with its business as the Speaker Onsari Gharti had not included the amendment bill discussion in the meeting agenda.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the constitution amendment bill was tabled in Parliament with the consent of the main opposition, CPN-UML.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli claimed that the Constitution amendment bill tabled in the Parliament would not be passed.

January 10

LBRC member Sunil Ranjan Singh said that complaints are pouring in against LBRC report. He said most of the complaints received on phone were from Tarai/Madhes.

January 11

Federal Alliance at meeting in Kathmandu urged all the political parties to pass a revised Constitution Amendment Bill.

January 12

TRC extended offices in seven federal provinces. The field offices will be set up in Biratnagar for Province No 1 Janakpur for Province 2 Hetauda for Province 3 Pokhara for Province 4 Tulsipur for Province 5 Surkhet for Province 6 and Dipayal for Province 7.

NEFIN informed Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal that the indigenous communities would support the Constitution amendment bill recently tabled at the Parliament.

January 13

Ruling and the opposition MPs opposed LBRC report for restructuring the local bodies. They also warned that mass protests would break out if the Government failed to correct the boundaries of the local bodies on time.

Parliament forwarded the Local Level Election Bill to the SAC prolonging its endorsement process from the House. The SAC has already been delaying finalizing three other election-related bills.

HRW said Nepal failed to ensure accountability for human rights abuses during the decade-long Maoist war. It further claimed that efforts to enforce rights or provide justice for wartime abuses were stalled due to violent protests in the Tarai.

January 14

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expedited preparations to induct more Ministers in his cabinet in an apparent bid to garner support of more parties in favor of the Constitution amendment bill.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal while interacting with Nepalis working in Abu Dhabi, the UAE Capital promised Constitution implementation, infrastructure development and prosperity.

CPN-UML Vice-Chairman Bhim Rawal claimed that the opposition parties would fail the Constitution amendment proposal tabled by the Government in the Legislature-Parliament at any cost.

Ruling coalition and the Madhes-based parties agreed to work together on further amendment on constitution amendment bill tabled in Parliament.

January 15

A Standing Committee meeting of the CPN-UML announced it is to organize mass rallies in all Tarai Districts beginning March 4. They decided to launch a 15-day campaign from Mechi to Mahakali in order to put an end to allegations that it was against Madhes and the Madhesi people.

Federal Alliance and Naya Shakti Nepal in their first meeting in Kathmandu to discuss in detail about their working alliance have agreed in principle to forge an alliance to press for the Constitution amendment as per the demands of the Madhes-based parties.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the existence of Kathmandu (is unimaginable without the presence of the Madhes.

January 17

Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi said that local elections would be announced after forging an agreement with the UDMF.

MJFD Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar said that elections were not possible until constitution's amendment with revision.

January 18

TMSP Chairman Mahendra Raya Yadav ruled out chances of statute implementation without ensuring rights to the Madhes.

January 19

EC said that the local elections will not happen in May-June if issues related to the elections are not settled within the next 10 days.

CPN-UML Politburo member Ved Ram Bhusal speaking said that the Government is not eager to hold election. He accused the Government of trying to circumvent the election by bringing the constitution amendment bill.

January 20

A protestor Binod Pathak was injured in Police firing to take the situation under control that went tense after the locals clashed with Police over the report of the LBRC in Nuwakot District.

JTMM planted a grenade at the main entrance of the residential building of local businessperson Phusraj Dugad in Saptari District in the wee hours.

Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation, Prem Bahadur Singh said that Constitution will be amended in course of implementation.

January 21

Major three political parties agreed in principle on holding local level elections in the fourth week of April.

SLM Chairman Kumar Lingden said that they will keep fighting until Limbuwan State is ensured in the Constitution.

January 22

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that Government will announce the date of local polls within a week and will be conducted by mid-May.

January 23

SAC of the Parliament endorsed two poll related bills - bill relating to powers and functions of the EC and the one on voter list. The SAC endorsed the bill's provision that states the EC will communicate with the Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a meeting with CEC Ayodhi Prasad Yadav and discussed the issues related to fresh elections in local bodies.

UDMF staged a rally demanding the restructuring of local bodies on the basis of population in Birgunj city of Parsa District.

January 24

UDMF in a meeting held at the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's official residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu warned the Government not to announce election dates unilaterally.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal assured the UDMF that the Government would hold the local-level election only after amending the constitution.

January 26

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurating the Parbat Festival being held at Kushma Bazaar, the District headquarters of Parbat issued instructions to the heads of Government offices to start preparations for holding the three-tier elections by January 21, 2018.

The Prime Minister also said that no election would be announced without first taking the Madhesi and Tharu communities on board. Dahal said "What could be the point of announcing the election date unless an environment is prepared for holding the elections?"

January 28

UDMF at a meeting decided to launch another round of agitation from February 12 if the constitution amendment bill registered in Parliament is not revised and endorsed by the House by then.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli speaking with the journalists at Biratnagar airport in Morang District underscored the need to hold long overdue local body's election at any cost.

January 29

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has invited the Madhesi parties for fresh talks. The meeting has been scheduled for 9 am on January 30 at Baluwatar, Kathmandu.

FSFN Chairman Upendra Yadav addressing a programme said that the constitution must be rewritten.

TRC at a meeting held in Kathmandu sought extension of its tenure by one year. TRC's two-year term expires on February 9. The commission has to investigate more than 58,052 complaints of rights violation that allegedly took place during the decade-long Maoist insurgency.

CIEDP stated that it had also recommended to the Government to extend its term by one year. CIEDP spokesperson Bishnu Pathak said the commission had been preparing to start data collection from mid-February.

January 30

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at a meeting with the leaders of the Madhes-based parties asked four questions with regard to ending the ongoing political deadlock and urged them to come up with clear answers.

LBRC member Sunil Ranjan Singh said changing LBRC report without its implementation would be unconstitutional. He said that the LBRC has no time and additional capacity to revise the report.

January 31

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal while meeting a delegation from the NDLF at his official residence in Kathmandu stated that he is committed to resolve the issues that the Dalit communities in Nepal have faced.

Foreign Affairs Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat while appraising the Kathmandu-based foreign envoys said that Nepal is holding all three-tier of elections - local, provincial and parliamentary - within the next one year in order to meet the constitutional deadline.

CEC Ayodhi Prasad Yadav directed the officials concerned to start making necessary preparations for the local elections.

February 1

Supreme Court scrapped the TRC guidelines for putting insurgency-era rights violation cases on hold. Thousands of conflict-era cases were likely to be shelved without conducting any inquiry if the guidelines were followed.

February 3

MJF-D Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar said his party would not participate in civic polls without passage of a revised the Constitution amendment bill from the Parliament.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal invited the Madhesi parties at the PM's official residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu, for a joint meeting and told them that he wanted to move forward the preparations for local elections and the Constitution amendment that they sought simultaneously.

February 4

A day after the Government formed a task force to seek suggestions on the report of the LBRC; its office bearers say revision of the report is not possible.

MJF-L Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar addressing a gathering of MJF-L senior cadres at Golbazaar in Siraha District said his party would not participate in the elections until the constitution amendment proposal was passed.

February 5

NC and the agitating Madhes-based parties during a meeting held at the residence of NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba in Kathmandu have decided to make collective efforts to secure two-thirds majority in favor of the seven-point constitution amendment bill tabled in the Parliament.

TMDP Chairman Mahantha Thakur speaking with journalists at the Reporters' Club in Kathmandu said no poll would be possible unless the Constitution was amended.

TRC recommended Government to extend its tenure by one year. "We have forwarded a written request to the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction seeking TRC's term extension," TRC member Madhabi Bhatta told.

February 6 Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi while inaugurating the newly constructed building of the Armed Police Force, Border Security Office in Janakpur city of Dhanusa District stressed on holding three-tier of elections within 11 months.
February 7

CPN-UML termed the decision of the ruling parties and the agitating Madhes-based parties to hold the poll only after amending the constitution as a conspiracy to derail the ongoing course of politics and create a political vacuum.

MJF-L Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar insisted to hold the elections within the stipulated deadline.

February 8

Local-level Elections 2017 bill has been stalled in Parliament Secretariat as the bill forwarded to the President's office for authentication even after a week of its passage by Parliament.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal speaking at a press meet organized by Press Center in Chitwan District said the Government was waiting for an agreement with the agitating Madhesi Front to announce the date for the local polls.

February 9

An emergency meeting of the Cabinet held at the Prime Minister's residence in Kathmandu extended the tenure of TRC and CIEDP by a year.

Leaders of the five major parties directed the Government to finalize the LBRC report and suggest reasonable approaches for the delineation of Province no. 2 at the earliest.

CEC Ayodhi Prasad Yadav speaking with journalists in Kathmandu said the Government was not cooperating with the EC to make sure that the local elections would be held as planned.

February 10

24 cadres of the UDMF were arrested after they tried to foil the second convention of NRFA, a sister organisation of NWPP organized in Rajbiraj city of Saptari District.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari authenticated the Local Level Election Bill and the Election Offence and Punishment Bill.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during a meeting held in Lalitpur District requested the main opposition leader CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli not to cast any doubt on the Government's intention to hold local level elections at the earliest.

ICJ issuing a statement said that the extension of TRC CIEDP terms without amending the TRC and CIEDP Act will be meaningless.

February 11

DPM Bimalendra Nidhi accused the main opposition CPN-UML of sowing the seed of secession in the country charging CPN-UML had influenced the Constitution promulgation process.

CPN-UML Vice-Chairman Bhim Rawal said that the CPN-UML was ready to provide constructive support to the incumbent Government if it announced the date for local polls immediately.

February 12

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal while speaking at a program organized by CPN-Maoist Centre in Kathmandu said achievements made through the Maoist 'people's war' would not be allowed to go in vain at any cost.

Conflict Victims National Society observed on February 12 as a 'Black Day' and staged an hour-long sit-in in Kathmandu demanding justice in conflict-era cases.

February 13

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal addressing a programme organized by the ACORAB in Kathmandu called all to support the Government to hold the three tiers of election by January 21, 2018.

EC Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma said "We have been working to prepare election related regulations and directives, which are essential for the polls."

UDMF boycotted the meeting with a Government taskforce formed to recommend suggestions to address the demand for revisions in the local units delineations mainly in Province 2.

Advocate Chiranjivi Nepal filed a writ petition demanding that the Government immediately endorse the LBRC's report and publish it in the Nepal Gazette for the implementation of new local units.

February 14

Minister for Industry, Nabindra Raj Joshi, who is also a member of the taskforce formed by the Government to study the report prepared by LBRC said that it would submit its report to the Government on February 16.

CPN-UML at the Standing Committee meeting of the party at Chairman KP Sharma Oli's residence in Balkot drew the Government's attention to the need to hold all three elections -- local, provincial and the parliamentary - by mid-December 2017.

February 15

Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist has intensified its extortion drive from businesspersons and institutions both within Kathmandu Valley and beyond, creating terror among them.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal told CEC Ayodhi Yadav that the Government was committed to announcing civic poll dates by February 19.

UDMF said that it won't accept the report of the LLRC until the local units are delineated in proportion to the size of the population living in Tarai-Madhes.

TRC and CIEDP decided to accept complaints of conflict victims again. CIEDP Spokesperson Bishnu Pathak said the commission would issue a notice by mid-March. Meanwhile, TRC member Madhabi Bhatta told that the body would take a decision to this effect once its regular business resumes.

February 16

Task Force formed by the Government to study the report prepared by the LBRC suggested increasing the number of local bodies in Province 2.

UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Valerie Julliand, during her meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the latter's office urged international standards for TRC and CIEDP.

February 17

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal addressing the inaugural ceremony of the general convention of the RPP at Exhibition Road in Kathmandu said that he will work on election preparations and constitution amendment simultaneously.

LBRC member Neeraj Shah said chances of revising the report prepared by the LBRC are slim as LBRC has only three weeks left to complete its remaining tasks.

February 18

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held consultations with the UDMF over various issues including local polls and constitution amendment. However, the meeting could not bear any fruit after both the parties did not budge an inch.

February 19

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal while inaugurating Mahapuran Saptaha, a weeklong recitation of ancient Hindu scriptures in Lahan town of Siraha District said that he will declare an election date only after reaching an agreement with the agitating Madhes-based parties.

Ruling NC and CPN-Maoist Center at a meeting at the Prime Minister's residence decided to announce local poll dates as soon as possible.

LBRC Chief Balananda Paudel told Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal that revision of the report will not be possible as the commission has only a few days before its tenure expires.

February 20

Government decided to hold local elections on May 14 after 20 years. A cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Kathmandu decided to hold the local level poll across the country in a single phase amid opposition from the agitating Madhes-based political parties.

Government extended the deadline of the taskforce formed to study the report prepared by the LLRC by seven days. The taskforce was formed on February 2 with a 15-day deadline for making revisions in the report prepared by LLRC about the numbers and boundaries of local units to be delineated under the federal setup.

February 21

UDMF cadres took to streets in Birgunj city of Parsa District in protest of the announcement of local election date by Government and burnt Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's effigy.

UDMF cadres took out a torch rally in Rajbiraj, the District headquarters of Saptari, to protest the Government's announcement of the date to hold the local level election.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal speaking at a function organized at the Press Council Nepal's premises claimed that people, who he said are more concerned about direct impacts of political changes on their life, would be connected to the federal democratic republic through local elections.

February 23

The Parliament finally began general discussions on the Constitution amendment bill nearly three months after its registration.

Opposition parties said they would allow voting on the Constitution amendment bill in parliament only if the agitating Madhes-based parties give a commitment to participate in the local polls.

CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli said that his party would not let the Legislature-Parliament pass the Constitution amendment bill for it was against people will.

Federal Socialist Forum and Naya Shakti Party in a joint press statement protested the announcement of local poll date.

February 24

Federal Alliance a meeting of the alliance held in Kathmandu decided to launch a movement against the Government's decision to hold polls on May 14.

Naya Shakti Party has ruled out the possibility of holding local polls as local levels were yet to be finalized and constitution amendment bill was still to be decided as both were interrelated to holding the election.

February 25

Manish Kumar Suman, General Secretary of the Sadbhawana Party, a key constituent of the UDMF, said the UDMF would withdraw the support given to the Government within next 24 to 48 hours.

Nepali Congress Central Working Committee member NP Saud said the elections would be held on May 14 as announced by the Government even if the Madhesi parties would boycott it.

February 26

Cadres of UDMF clashed with Police as they staged a demonstration in the Rautahat District headquarters Gaur in a bid to thwart a function being organized by the main opposition CPN-UML.

Constitution Amendment Bill brought in by the Government got a total of 15 amendment proposals from lawmakers of various political parties, including the agitating Madhesi parties and the ruling parties.

February 27

Government has started consultations with political parties on how it can proceed with the constitution amendment bill in the next meeting of the Parliament scheduled for March 1.

Madhes-based parties in Saptari District ruled out chances of local polls across the region, citing the prevailing confusion surrounding federalism-related issues and power sharing modality between federal and central Governments.

February 28

A bomb was recovered on the premises of Peace Zone English Boarding School in Rajbiraj of Saptari District. Central Coordinator of JTLF-R Jayakrishna Goit issued a press statement taking responsibility for the crime.

The Parliament meeting scheduled for March 2 has been postponed until March 10 as parties fail to make any headway towards endorsing or withdrawing the Constitution amendment bill currently being discussed at the House.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal addressing the nation urged the Madhesi people to utilize the upcoming local level election as an opportunity to express their grievances.

March 1

Top leaders of the ruling alliance and the UDMF held discussion at the official residence of Prime Minister and discussed issues concerning the local level elections and the proposed amendment to the Constitution. However, they could not reach any agreement on the crucial issues.

Of the seven UDMF parties in the alliance, six have refused to register their parties with the EC. These parties are: National Madhes Socialist Party, Nepal Sadbhawana Party, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum- Republican, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Sadbhawana Party and Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party-Nepal.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, during a meeting with Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat in Geneva has pledged increased engagement of his office to protect and promote human rights in Nepal.

March 2

CPN-UML and UDMF cadres clashed in Rajbiraj of Saptari District while the former were distributing pamphlets related to a campaign. But, Police arrived on the scene on time and brought the situation under control.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal while meeting the officials of NEFIN at his residence in Kathmandu conceded that the Constitution amendment bill tabled in the Parliament would not get passed under the present circumstances.

TMDP and SP instructed their leaders to prepare for the next movement against local level elections.

EC Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma said that 81 parties have been registered with the EC showing their interest to contest in the upcoming local election slated for May 14.

LBRC has sent a formal letter to the Government informing that its remaining task might not be completed by the March 13 deadline.

March 3

UDMF cadres tarred the face of CPN-UML District Committee member Pratap Narayan Chaudhary, who, among other CPN-UML cadres, were distributing pamphlets at Machha Hatiya in Saptari District, in a bid to make the Mechi-Mahakali campaign successful.

SC ordered the Government to furnish a written statement about the Government's preparations for holding all three tiers of elections by January 21, 2018 in line with the provisions of the new constitution.

Dismayed at the failure of the ruling parties to push the seven-point amendment bill through parliament, the agitating UDMF is mulling withdrawing its support to the Government.

Task-force formed by the Government to review the number of local units proposed by the LLRC proposed to increase the number of local units by 25 making the total number of local units 744.

March 4

Federal Alliance reiterated that the local level elections announced for May 14 should be postponed and they should be held after the formation of provincial Governments by themselves.

TMDP Chairman Mahantha Thakur speaking at an interaction organized at Reporters Club in Kathmandu accused Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal of backtracking on his commitment expressed in the three-point agreement.

March 5

Government decided to form 744 local units across the country. The Government decided to review the LBRC report and took the decision to add 25 local units than the commission recommended as the Madhes-based parties as well as locals from some other Districts expressed dissatisfaction over the report.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal speaking to journalists at Biratnagar Airport claimed that elections of the local level would not stop at any cost.

UDMF affiliated parties are preparing to intensify the protest program in the Tarai-Madhesh region after mid-March against the announcement of the date of the local polls before the constitution amendment.

March 6

Three persons were killed in Police firing in Maleth, a VDC of Saptari District after a clash between them and protesters of the UDMF. The deceased have been identified as Sanjan Mehata, Aananda Sah and Pitambar Mandal. 25 UDMF cadres and three Policemen were also injured in the clash.

Irked by the Saptari incident, at an emergency UDMF meeting held in Kathmandu, the UDMF leaders have threatened to withdraw their support to the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led Government.

A writ petition filed at the SC against the Government's decision to increase the number of local units. The move comes a day after a cabinet meeting on March 5 decided to add 25 more local units to the total 719 units proposed by the LBRC.

LBRC Chairman Balananda Paudel said that it is unlikely to finish all tasks within deadline. He said that it could only provide theoretical framework on special, protected, and autonomous regions to the government, as completing the remaining tasks within the stipulated deadline was almost impossible for them.

March 7

An indefinite strike called by the cadres of UDMF crippled the lives of people in the Tarai region.

Cadres of UDMF vandalized the city office of CPN-UML at Lahan town of Saptari District. They carried the furniture and the documents of the office on the road before putting fire on the materials. They chanted slogans against the CPN-UML.

A group of protestors vandalized the vehicle belonging to Janakpur Regional Office of NHRC in Rajbiraj, the headquarters Saptari District. According to the witness, the group chanted slogans against the officials of the NHRC before they attacked the vehicle.

Federal Alliance at a meeting of the alliance held decided to withdraw its support to the Government unless the announcement of the local level polls is withdrawn.

CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwar Pokhrel at a press conference organized by the party in Kathmandu said that there was a conspiracy to murder all the top leaders of the party in March 6's mass meeting on the premises of Gajendra Narayan Singh Industrial Zone in Saptari District.

CPN-UML Secretary Pradeep Gyawali said "We demand that the government create political and administrative environment to hold the local polls. The elections can be and must be held as the failure to conduct the polls will lead to the new constitution's failure."

United Nations in Nepal said that it is seriously concerned by the escalation of tensions in the lead-up to the local elections announced for May.

March 8

Death toll rises to four in Police firing in Saptari District as one more person succumbed to his injuries. Birendra Mehata has died at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in course of treatment.

A cadre of UDMF was injured in Birgunj town of Parsa District as local businessmen retaliated against the agitating cadres of UDMF who reportedly manhandled a Mina Bazar-based shopkeeper while enforcing the second day of general shutdown called to protest the fatal police firing in Saptari District.

UDMF submitted a five-point memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at latter's official residence in Kathmandu. Dahal assured the UDMF leaders that he would hold discussion with the ruling parties and the opposition and decide accordingly.

At a meeting held between leaders of the three major parties - NC, CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Center - at the Prime Minister's residence, the CPN-UML has turned down the Government's plea to halt its Mechi-Mahakali National Campaign. The party decided to resume the campaign from Hetauda on March 10.

At a meeting held between leaders of the three major parties - NC, CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Center - at the Prime Minister's residence, the CPN-UML has turned down the Government's plea to halt its Mechi-Mahakali National Campaign. The party decided to resume the campaign from Hetauda on March 10.

At a meeting held between leaders of the three major parties - NC, CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Center - at the Prime Minister's residence, the CPN-UML has turned down the Government's plea to halt its Mechi-Mahakali National Campaign. The party decided to resume the campaign from Hetauda on March 10.

March 9

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the elections were inevitable in order to decentralize the Government's power to the local level.

EC spokesman Surya Prasad Sharma said that the EC is deploying chief election officer, election officers and other support staff to the grounds from April 16.

March 10

Death toll rises to five in Police firing in Saptari District as one more person succumbed to his injuries. InarYadav (34) died at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences where he was admitted to the ICU with bullet injuries in his chest.

CPN-UML's Mechi-Mahakali campaign, which was halted for three days following the Saptari incident, resumed from Hetauda on March 10.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa during a program organized at the Ministry at Singha Durbar said that the 744 local units delineated under the new federal setup will come into effect from March 25.

Police arrested 96 bandh enforcers said from various places. Police said they were obstructing the vehicular movement and trying to enforce the bandh.

March 11

Bandh enforcers torched a Sajha Yatayat bus while it was awaiting passengers at Balaju Bypass in Katmhandu. However, some Policemen saw the flames and immediately doused it. Four seats have been gutted in the incident.

March 12

Top leaders of CPN-UML addressing the mass gathering organized at Anchalpur of Rupandehi District said that they will not allow the endorsement of the constitution amendment bill through parliament at any cost.

FSF-N Chairman Upendra Yadav speaking at a press conference organized in Saptari District said the people would retaliate if the Government tries to suppress 'peaceful' movement in Madhes.

Chairman of tSadbhavana Party Rajendra Mahato during a press meet organized by the Press Forum Saptari urged the CPN-UML to participate in the constitution amendment which would ensure timely election.

March 13

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and told him that he would not support the Constitution amendment bill. They also held discussions on other contemporary issues but there was no agreement on any issue.

CPN-UML reached Kapilvastu and Dang Districts during the Mechi-Mahakali National Campaign. The party organized its first mass meeting of the day in Jitpur of Kapilvastu whereas the second function was held in Lamahi of Dang.

Deputy Prime Minister and RPP Chairman Kamal Thapa speaking with journalists in Kathmandu said his party would withdraw support extended to the Government if the Constitution amendment bill stalled at the Parliament was put to vote.

LBRC submitted its final report to the Government, without delineating special, autonomous and protected areas as assigned by the Constitution.

March 14

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the operation of 744 new local levels across the country. Dahal said a new era of local level governance has started, addressing the function.

UDMF leaders said we are no longer a part of the governing coalition now onward. "

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli addressing a mass meeting organized as part of its Mechi-Mahakali campaign in Nepalgunj city in Banke District urged UDMF leaders not to rake up communal sentiments in the name of politics.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli addressing a mass meeting organized as part of its Mechi-Mahakali campaign in Nepalgunj city in Banke District urged UDMF leaders not to rake up communal sentiments in the name of politics.

March 15

UDMF cadres vandalized sign boards installed at rural municipality offices as part of their protest against restructuring of local bodies in Rautahat District.

Representing the UDMF, TMSP Chairman Mahendra Raya Yadav announced that they have withdrawn their support extended to the incumbent Government in the meeting of the Legislature-Parliament. Announcing the same, the constituent parties of the agitating bloc walked out of the House.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in a meeting with leaders of the agitating UDMF proposed that the Constitution amendment bill would be endorsed before the May 14 local polls, withdrawing provisions regarding delineation of provinces from the proposal.

In view of the upcoming May 14 local elections, the Judicial Council deputed 255 under-secretaries to work as returning officers for various local government units.

Conflict victims demanded resignation of office bearers of the TRC for 'delaying' investigation into insurgency-era rights violation cases.

March 16

Ministry of Home Affairs issued a circular to District administrations across the country to submit a comprehensive report outlining potential security challenges to the local polls scheduled for May 14 and the measures they would take to meet those challenges.

Government taskforce formed to verify more victims of the conflict has verified an additional 3,830 individuals who have suffered in various ways from the insurgency period.

After announcing that it withdrew the support extended to the Government, the Federal Alliance announced fresh protest programmes to start from March 17.

UDMF officially handed over the letter of withdrawal to Speaker Onsari Gharti. The leaders of the Madhesh-based four parties jointly handed over the letter to the Secretary of the Speaker.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal made another attempt to convince the agitating UDMF to accept the May 14 local level elections, but failed.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli claimed that the issue of endorsement of the constitution amendment bill being raised by the Madhesh-centric political parties was a pretext to create division between Hill and Tarai.

March 17

Cadres of UDMF vandalized signboards of various newly created rural municipalities in Siraha District. They also padlocked various offices of rural municipalities in the District, expressing dissatisfaction over the restructuring of the local units under the new federal structure.

Lawmakers of NC representing the Tarai-Madhes region at a meeting in Kathmandu concluded that the party should take initiatives to ensure endorsement of the Constitution amendment bill stuck at the Parliament.

SP Chairman Rajendra Mahato speaking at a press meet organized by Rautahat-based Press Manch Nepal in Gaur said that the country's bad days would begin if the local level elections were held without provincial border delineation based on demands of UDMF.

Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav apprised Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the preparations being held for the upcoming May 14 local level elections.

March 18

Jamim Bhat (65), an UDMF cadre who was injured in a clash with Police while protesting CPN-UML's Mechi-Mahakali Campaign in Nepalgunj of Banke District died in the course of treatment. He had sustained injuries during the clash with Police on March 15.

March 19

UDMF cadres padlocked the offices of 17 local levels in Saptari District. UDMF activists padlocked the offices of all municipalities and rural municipalities immediately after the offices opened. UDMF disrupted a meeting held by the Rautahat District Election Office to fix voting centres for the local level elections.

UDMF boycotted meeting of the Legislature-Parliament. They boycotted the meeting citing demand of constitution amendment, the major demand of the UDMF, was not addressed.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during his meeting with Government secretaries at his office directed the authorities concerned to expedite the formulation of all federal laws demanded by the constitution.

March 20

UDMF boycotted Parliament meeting. Lawmaker Dimpal Kumari Jha, speaking in the outset of the meeting from the UDMF side, urged the Government to form a probe committee to investigate into Saptari and Kanchanpur incidents.

CPN-UML told a four-party meeting that it wanted to know what would satisfy the UDMF to take part in the local polls. After the meeting, CPN-UML Deputy Parliamentary Party leader Subas Chandra Nembang told that the major parties had made the first amendment to the constitution, yet that did not satisfy the UDMF.

The task force formed to submit report to the Government on conflict victims started its work from Rukum District. A five-member task force that will collect details of conflict-affected individuals and families reached the District.

March 21

Madhes-centric parties boycotted the house session of the Legislature-Parliament. Madhesi lawmakers including those associated with Federal Socialist Forum Nepal, Tarai-Madhes Loktantrik Party and Sadbhawana Party chanted slogans informing their boycott of the House meeting.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal addressing a meeting of the CPN-Maoist Center parliamentary party held at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu sought to dispel any doubt lawmakers of his party had about the local level elections slated for May 14.

CPN-UML Chairman K P Sharma Oli has said that the upcoming elections will vehemently oppose and respond to the regional politics and forces involved in disharmonizing the social cohesion. He added that the people will answer those forces by giving a majority seats to his party from upcoming elections.

March 22

High-Level Probe Commission formed with mandate to investigate the incidents of violence and killings occurred during the Tharuhat-Madhes movement started on-site investigation into the incidents from Dhanusha District headquarters, Janakpur.

CPN-Maoist Center at the Central Office meeting of the party chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal decided to work for endorsing the Constitution amendment bill, putting the issue of revision of provincial boundary on hold for now.

Naya Shakti Party Nepal Coordinator Dr Baburam Bhattarai speaking at the public gathering organized by the party in Lahan of Siraha District warned that the country would plunge into conflict if elections were held forcefully without amendment of the constitution.

Office bearers of TRC held a meeting in absence of its Chairman Surya Kiran Gurung. The meeting presided over by the TRC's senior member Leela Udasi endorsed a work plan, pledging to commence preliminary investigation into insurgency-era rights violations complaints from mid-April.

March 23

MoHA on the basis of threat assessment reports received from local administrations across the country has said that even as nearly all polling stations in the Tarai plains remain susceptible to election-related violence and possible disruptions, the biggest challenge for poll security may come from the eight districts of Province 2.

CPN-Maoist Center provided NR 600,000 to the family of martyr Govinda Gautam. Gautam was killed in a scuffle between the Nepali nationals and Indian SSB personnel at Ananda Bazaar over the issue of construction of a culvert in Punarbas of Kanchanpur District on March 9.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during a meeting with other political parties including the agitating UDMF at his residence in Kathmandu proposed to drop the clause pertaining to federal boundaries from the constitution amendment bill tabled in Parliament and endorse the remaining parts.

March 24

Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato talking to media persons at Janakpur airport said the constitution should be amended before holding local level elections.

March 25

DPM Kamal Thapa at a programme organized by RPP in Makawanpur District said that the Government is working to bring the Madhes-centric political parties in the election to strengthen democracy and end the country's existing political crisis.

Sadbhawana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato speaking at a press conference in Sarlahi District headquarters Malangawa ruled out possibility of elections without amending the constitution.

CIEDP spokesperson Bishnu Pathak said that CIEDP is entering crucial phase of investigation but the Government has not yet criminalized torture.

March 26

FSF-N Chairman Upendra Yadav speaking at a condolence ceremony organized to pay respect to five persons killed during the CPN-UML's Mechi-Mahakali campaign at Gajendranarayan Singh Industrial Area in Rajbiraj town of Saptari District charged that NC, CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Center's latest activities had increased the possibility of failure of the new statute.

March 27 NC CWC members at its meeting were in favor of taking the Madhesi parties on board before going to local level polls. CWC member Farmullah Mansoor said majority of the CWC members opined that the party should try to forge consensus on constituent amendment bill, but if that didn't happen the party should go for putting the bill to vote.
March 28

Cadres of UDMF, which are against the local elections, on March 28 picketed the DEO in Mahottari District. The UDMF has resumed their protest programs in order to heap pressure on the Government to amend the constitution prior to local election slated for May 14.

CPN-UML's Central Committee member Suman Pyakurel's wife and daughter-in-law - Jyoti and Raktim Jyoti respectively - were encircled, verbally abused and mistreated by a group of UDMF cadres when they were in Rajbiraj of Saptari District for a family affair.

Signaling some progress in the informal negotiation initiated by the parties to end the political deadlock, UDMF leaders involved in talks with the major parties said UDMF is ready to back down for now from its demand on province demarcations if the major three parties reciprocated its calls for a powerful federal commission.

March 29

Over a dozen of cadres and leaders, including Sadbhawana Party central member Yogendra Yadav quit the party en masse. Sadbhawana Party central member and chief of the Department of Youth Yadav said that he could not stay in the party as undemocratic system and racist policy had tarnished the party and his personal image.

Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the necessary preparations have been completed for security arrangements for the local level election slated for May 14.

March 30

Cadres of UDMF vandalized offices of the DDC and the Rajbiraj Municipality in Rajbiraj of Saptari District.

20 Sadbhawana Party leaders, including three central leaders, resigned en masse.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal dismissing any possibility of postponing the election as demanded by the agitating parties said that the local level elections would be held at any cost on May 14.

March 31

UDMF is preparing to organize protests aimed at disrupting the election environment but the election fever is gradually gripping the protest-hit Province 2 with the poll date approaching fast.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal told the UDMF to seek revision of provincial boundaries after local polls but before provincial and parliamentary polls.

A meeting of the ruling parties and the UDMF asked Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to prepare a new Constitution amendment proposal so as to bring agitating UDMF on board the local level election process.

Legislature-Parliament's State Affairs Committee directed the Government to form a high level committee including the area experts for the administrative restructuring and the personnel management to suit the federal set up.

Barsha Man Pun, a CPN-Maoist Center leader and confidant of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal speaking with journalists in Kathmandu claimed that an informal agreement has already been made to bring the agitating UDMF on board the election process.

April 2

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal receiving a memorandum submitted by the Madhesi Ethnic Coordination Society assured local level elections in normal environment.

April 3

Leaders and cadres of the Federal Alliance took to the streets of Kathmandu in a show of strength, resulting in a brief traffic jam in downtown Kathmandu.

TMDP Chairperson Mahantha Thakur speaking at his party's function at Prasauni of Bara District argued that they would not accept any election held prior to constitution amendment.

April 4

A socket bomb was recovered at a businessman's residence in Rajbiraj of Saptari District. Police also recovered the leaflets issued in the name of JTMM led by Jayakrishna Goit.

Police arrested two cadres of the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist for their involvement in the murder of NC District leader Rabindra Shumsher Shah (36) in Jajarkot District.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal while addressing an orientation programme of the National Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Province No 3 at his party office said the major agenda before the State is holding the local level election successfully.

More than a dozen District level leaders and cadres have left the NMSP led by Sharatsingh Bhandari in Saptari District.

April 5

Police arrested three cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist who were campaigning for boycotting the civic polls in Triyuga Bazaar area in Udayapur District.

Minister for Energy Janardan Sharma said that the local level elections would be held only after addressing the demands of the Madhes-based parties.

April 6

CPN-Maoist Center at a meeting of the party's Central Office held at the Prime Minister's residence in Kathmandu asked the Government to withdraw the Constitution amendment bill stuck at the Parliament and bring a new one to address concerns of agitating Madhesi parties.

TMDP Chairperson Mahantha Thakur speaking at a party function in Pokhariya of Parsa District warned of bloodshed in the plains if the Government tried to hold the civic polls through use of force.

CEC Ayodhi Prasad Yadav addressing a two-day Training of Trainers on election management organized at Godavari, Lalitpur District urged the Government to reach to a concrete decision as soon as possible on the problem that has been voiced in the Madhes regarding the election.

April 7

Nepal Police selected 74, 500 temporary Police in view of security for the upcoming local polls slated for May 14.

EC said that it would distribute voter identity cards needed to cast votes in the local level elections from May 11 to 13.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli addressing a function in Kathmandu accused the Madhesi parties of confusing people by raising "unnecessary agendas.

UDMF leaders stressed that the local elections should be held across the country the same day and if time permits on May 14 itself.

April 8

Police arrested 18 cadres of UDMF from Lahan in Siraha District when they tried to obstruct a program of CPN-UML.

Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Shankar Nayak said that Government would withdraw the current constitution amendment bill from the Parliament on April 10 and register a new bill in the House.

April 9

EC said that four Districts of Province 2 have finalized polling stations for the local level elections slated for May 14. Out of eight Districts in Province 2, Bara, Parsa, Dhanusha, and Sarlahi Districts have sent reports finalizing polling stations.

A parliamentary sub-committee formed under lawmaker Moktar Ahmed to investigate the Saptari incident submitted its report recommending action against security personnel who used indiscriminate force against protesters.

April 10

Government registered a new constitution amendment bill at the Parliament Secretariat.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal while inaugurating the 51st General Assembly of FNCCI in Kathmandu urged entrepreneurs to provide necessary support to the government for successful completion of the upcoming local level elections slated for May 14.

The meeting of Standing Committee of CPN-UML decided to not extend support to the new constitution amendment bill bound to be registered at the Parliament.

April 11

Lawmakers of UDMF boycotted the Legislature-Parliament meeting. With the commencement of the meeting, UDMF-affiliated lawmakers stood up from their respective seats after Speaker Onsari Gharti gave time to Akbal Ahamad Sah to put his views.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal addressing the inaugural function of Chandragiri Mahotsav in Balambu, on the south-western outskirts of Kathmandu said that the local level elections are very significant as local levels will get to exercise executive, legislative and judicial rights.

EC fixed polling stations in all 75 Districts for the local level elections slated for May 14. Based on the recommendations of the political parties and bureaucrats in the Districts, the EC finalized the polling stations across the country, including in the remaining six Districts of Province 2.

Amid growing differences between political parties over conducting the local-level elections on the stipulated date, CEC Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said the Election Commission is committed to conducting the elections on May 14 and there's no chance of backtracking.

April 12

In a major setback to the Government's latest attempt to bring the agitating Madhes-based parties on board the election process, the UDMF rejected the new constitution amendment bill registered in Parliament.

April 13

UDMF staged a protest rally in Rautahat District headquarters Gaur criticizing the major political parties for their apathy towards amending the statute as per the demand of the Madhes.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal urged senior leaders of the Madhesh-centric parties to avoid agitation and instead come to consensus and collaboration.

Prime Minister Puspha Kamal Dahal also Chairman of CPN-Maoist Centre speaking at a party unification programme to declare the unification between the party and Communist Party of Nepal headed by leftist leader Tanka Rai in Kathmandu said he is all committed to uniting all the Communist parties including the Maoist Revolutionary existing in the country.

Six constituent parties of UDMF - TMDP, SP, NMSP, MPRF-R, TMSP and FSP -agreed in principle to merge, in a fresh bid to form a strong force representing the Tarai. Upendra Yadav-led FSF-N, however, is not involved in the talks.

April 14

Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa speaking at an interaction organized by Reporters Club Nepal in Kathmandu said that the Government is all set to hold local-level election even if the agitating Madhesi parties do not partake in it.

April 15

Madhesi lawmakers of NC and leaders from Province 2 at a meeting held in NC Central Office in Sanepa of Lalitpur District suggested that the NC take the UDMF on board the election process.

Senior TRC member Lila Udasi Khanal said that TRC has prepared an 'implementation plan' for probing insurgency-era rights violation cases and recommending action against perpetrators and reparation for victims.

Jaya Krishna Goit-led JTMM planted a socket bomb at the Om Shree Roshan Emporium in Rajbiraj, the District headquarters of Saptari District in a bid to terrorize locals in the run-up to the May 14 local level elections.

April 16

Cadres of UDMF staged a sit-in in Gaur of Rautahat District expressing their dissatisfaction over the local level elections slated for May 14.

UDMF announced various protest programmes in a bid to foil electioneering and the local level elections scheduled for May 14. Federal Alliance unveiled different protest programs with a view to disrupting the local polls slated for May 14.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Shankar Nayak speaking at an interaction program held in Kathmandu remarked that the announcement of the Madhes-centric political parties for fresh agitations against the upcoming local level elections was nothing more than a drama.

Kavre District Court sent three Nepal Army officials to jail for life for the murder of Maina Sunar (15), a teenage girl, during the Maoist insurgency. This is the first ever case in which any Nepal Army official was convicted of a crime during the decade-long armed conflict (1996-2006).

April 17

Unidentified persons set a NC liaison office, opened to carry out electioneering activities, on fire, in the wee hours in Gulara of Kailali District in a bid to foil the local level elections slated for May 14.

Naya Shakti Party Nepal Coordinator Baburam Bhattarai said, ?Elections would be impossible until the demands of the Tarai people ? comprising 52 per cent of the country?s population ? were addressed. As the government didn?t heed their demand for amending the constitution, the front didn?t have any alternative but to resort to protest.?

April 18

UDMF organized a torch rally in Birgunj town of Parsa District against the Government?s decision to hold the local level elections on May 14.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during a meeting of politburo members of CPN-Maoist Centre from Province-3 in Kathmandu disclosed that he is under intense pressure to defer the local-level elections scheduled for May 14.

UN asked Nepal to implement life sentence against three Army officials without delay.  UN welcomed the conviction of three Army officials on Maina Sunar?s extrajudicial killing during Maoist conflict.

April 19

Five major political parties in Parliament including NC, CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Centre, RPP and MPRF-D during a meeting held at Baluwatar in Kathmandu have  reiterated their commitment to holding the local polls on the stipulated date.

Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi speaking at a western regional security symposium organized in Pokhara city of Kaski District said that local level elections will be held on the slated date.

Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Ramesh Lekhak speaking at a press conference organized by Nepal Press Union, Dadeldhura District claimed nobody can now prevent the local election due on May 14.

April 20

Madhesi lawmakers boycotted the Parliament meeting. The lawmakers left the House soon after a lawmaker Akbal Amshad Sah spoke at the outset of the meeting that the Government did not address their demands.

Six constituents of the UDMF formed a unified party called RJP. Among the UDMF constituents that untied are TMDP, SP, TMSP-N, NMSP, MJF-R and NSP. The only constituent of the UDMF that did not become a part of the RJP is FSF-N, which has been trying to unify with Baburam Bhattarai-led Naya Shakti Party-Nepal.

TRC member Madhabi Bhatta writing a letter to the TRC secretariat urged the Secretariat to call an immediate meeting of the transitional body.

April 21

Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi speaking at the Central Regional Security Conference organized at Dhulikhel in Kavrepalanchowk District warned that anyone attempting to foil the upcoming local elections will be subjected to punishment.

The agitating Madhesi parties hinted that they are ready to take part in the local level elections after the major ruling parties ensured them of addressing their concerns by reviewing the new bill on constitution amendment.

April 22

The ruling alliance and UDMF at a meeting held at the Prime Minister?s residence have reached an agreement to hold local-level elections in two phases.

The Government and Federal Alliance reached an agreement to hold local-level elections in two phases.

April 23

The Government decided to hold the second phase of local level elections on June 14.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal briefing leaders about the deal with the Federal Alliance said the second phase of local elections will be conducted under a Government led by NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli told Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal that his party would put forth its take on the agreement reached between the Government and the Federal Alliance only after his party got the points of agreement in writing.

April 24

CPN-UML at a meeting of the party's Standing Committee asked the Government to hold the local level elections in a single phase on May 14 as scheduled.

CPN-UML Chairman K P Sharma Oli addressing the Parliament meeting said that the party cannot support the decision of the Government to revise the constitution amendment bill which is under discussion in the Parliament.

In a bid to accommodate parties under the Federal Alliance in the upcoming local elections, the EC revised its scheduled programs for the first phase of the elections and unveiled new programs for the second phase scheduled for June 14.

April 25

CPN-UML lawmakers obstructed the Parliament demanding response from the Government on the Ministry of Local Development's circular on increasing the number of local levels in four provinces forcing the Speaker to adjourn the meeting briefly.

April 26

CPN-UML obstructed the Parliament, protesting the Government's decision to increase the number of local levels in 11 Districts at the time local level elections were already scheduled.

Bowing to pressure from the opposition alliance, the Government has withdrawn its controversial amendment proposal that would increase the number of local units in 11 select Districts in the Tarai-Madhes.

April 27

A meeting of the nine party-alliance led by the main opposition CPN-UML held at the CPN-UML's parliamentary party office at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu decided to foil the constitution amendment bill tabled in the Legislature-Parliament.

CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli inaugurating the CPN-UML's election publicity campaign at party headquarters in Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu alleged that the ruling parties were making an all out effort to disrupt the forthcoming local level elections - despite their rhetoric that they were serious about holding it.

April 28

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during an all-party meeting at his official residence in Kathmandu urged opposition parties to support in endorsing the constitutional amendment bill with revision.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ajay Shankar Nayak during an interaction organized by Reporters' Club Nepal in Kathmandu said constitution would be amended with the participation of the major opposition CPN-UML.

April 28

After a brief sitting, the Parliament meeting has been adjourned till May 4. The House will meet at 3 pm on May 4.

The ruling parties and the parties in the Madhesi Front registered a joint amendment proposal to the constitution amendment proposal the Government had registered in the Legislature-Parliament before.

April 30

The parliamentary party meeting of the main opposition CPN-UML has directed its lawmakers to foil the constitution amendment bill registered by the ruling parties in the Parliament.

May 1

ATMM led by Ajay Yadav aka Ajit Singh has merged with the second largest party CPN-UML at a programme held at Lalapatti Village in Saptari District. Ajit Singh had been living an independent life after submitting arms to the Government two years ago.

ATMM led by Ajay Yadav aka Ajit Singh has merged with the second largest party CPN-UML at a programme held at Lalapatti Village in Saptari District. Ajit Singh had been living an independent life after submitting arms to the Government two years ago.

May 2

Nominations for the first phase of local level polls were filed in a peaceful manner. The EC said all major political parties - the NC, CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Centre and RPP - and independent candidates filed their nominations for the first phase of polls slated for May 14.

May 3

Upendra Yadav-led FSF-N issued a press release announced it would not take part in the second phase of local elections if the constitution was not amended before the polls.

In Nuwakot District, a group vandalized the Scorpio SUV (Ba 11 Cha 3499) owned by Ram Krishna Thapa, the NC candidate for Shivapuri Rural Municipality and set it on fire.

May 6

16 persons were injured in clashes between cadres of the NC and CPN-Maoist Centre over civic polls at different places in Rukum District. Nine persons were injured at Triveni Rural Municipality-8. Similarly, seven persons were injured in at the house of a Dalit candidate from the NC at Musikot-2at Musikot Municipality-2.

A jeep used in the election campaign was set ablaze in Thankre Rural Municipality of Dhading District. The jeep was parked on the premises of the residence of Raj Kumar Poudel, a CPN-UML candidate for Ward Chair of Thankre-2.

Three cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist were arrested from different parts of Sindhuli District for carrying out activities against the May 14 local elections.

Federal Alliance purged Upendra Yadav from its leadership, apparently for the the Yadav-led Federal Socialist Forum Nepal's decision to take part in the local level elections before the constitution amendment, and chose Mahantha Thakur of Rastriya Janata Dal Nepal it's new coordinator.

May 7

Police arrested four persons including the Janakpur Zonal Bureau Chief of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN- Maoist in possession of bomb making materials from Bardibas in Mahottari District.

May 8 Four persons were injured when a clash broke out between the cadres of CPN-Maoist Centre and CPN-UML at Chainpur in Dhading District.
May 9

CPN-UML cadre Kul Bahadur Tamang succumbed to injuries after cadres of CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre clashed at Jungu of Gaurishankar Rural Municipality in Dolakha District during their campaigns for the upcoming local level elections. A local teacher Dil Bahadur Budhathoki, who is believed to be close to the CPN-UML sustained serious injuries.

Police arrested two Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN- Maoist cadres for their involvement in anti-poll activities from Shivaghat of Bharatpur Metropolitan City in Chitwan District. Police recovered some explosives and two pieces of detonators from them.

Federal Alliance led by Mahantha Thakur announced fresh stir against local polls after its meeting with three major parties - the NC, the CPN-Maoist Centre and the CPN-UML - failed to forge consensus on constitutional issues.

May 10

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli rejected NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba's proposal to back the constitution amendment bill.

CEC Ayodhee Prasad Yadav speaking in the face-to-face programme organized by Reporters Club Nepal in Kathmandu said the second phase local election date slated for June 14 should not be changed.

May 11

A candidate of RPP was found dead in Kavre District headquarters, Dhulikhel. The deceased is Sukalal Tamang (55), of Dhulikhel Municipality-12. He was RPP candidate for member of ward-12.

A bomb planted at a public place near the Purano Kawasoti intersection at Kawasoti - 3 in Nawalparasi District exploded. The bomb that targeted a NC assembly actually went off but did not cause human casualties.

A bomb was recovered at the residence of Mahendra Pokharel, NC mayoral candidate for Kawasoti Municipality in Nawalparasi District. The Nepal Army bomb disposal squad defused the bomb the same night.

A bomb was planted near the residence of Durga Datta Dhungana, CPN-Maoist Centre mayoral candidate for Gaindakot Municipality in Nawalparasi District.

Another bomb was found at the residence of Dasiram Basyal, a CPN-Maoist Centre's mayoral candidate for Kawasoti Municipality in Nawalparasi District.

May 12

A powerful bomb was exploded at the house of RPP leader Madhab Khatri at Duwakot VDC in Bhaktapur District.

An IED exploded at Survey Office in Rajbiraj, the District headquarters of Saptari District. However, no human casualty was reported as the incident happened when there were no service seekers at the office. ATJTMM has taken responsibility for the incident.

An unidentified group exploded a bomb at the premises of the Barahi Higher Secondary School, a polling centre for ward no 6 in Lakeside of Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolitan City in Kaski District.

GEOC released its preliminary report on preparations for the first phase of local elections, saying there was a risk of violence during the polls.

May 13

An unidentified group exploded a bomb at a place near Baguwa Devithan of Rainash Municipality, Lamjung District. Police suspect that Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist cadres might have detonated the improvised explosive device.

An unidentified group kidnapped CPN-Maoist Centre ward chair candidate Prem Bahadur Rimal of Rapti Municipality from his municipality-based house in Chitwan District. The CPN-Maoist Centre claimed that Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist cadres might have kidnapped Rimal.

Nepal Army's BDS defused two bombs planted at two separate locations in Dhangadi Sub Metropolitan City in Kailali District. A presser cooker bomb with a placard reading khatara' and translated as 'dangerous' was found at Traffic Chauraha Bazaar in downtown Dhangadi, while another presser cooker bomb wrapped inside a jute bag was found at a roadside in Manhera Bazaar. According to District Police Office, Kailali Spokesperson, Bir Bahadur Budhamagar, the authorities believe that the Maoist cadres led by Biplov group are behind the activities aimed at spreading terror among the voters.

Also, the BDS defused a pressure cooker bomb found on the premises of NC Ward Contact Office in Sharadpur of Bharatpur Municipality-9 in Chitwan District. Police suspected the involvement of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist cadres in the terror plot.

May 14

71 per cent voters in 34 Districts took part in the local level elections that were held for the first time after Nepal's new constitution was promulgated in September 2015, according to the Election Commission.

One NC cadre died in Police firing during a clash with cadres of CPN-UML in Melung Rural Municipality of Dolakha District. The one killed in Police firing is identified as Nukul Bhujel. Police reportedly resorted to firing to contain violent situation at Pabati polling centre of Melung Rural Municipality during local level elections.

Dhanarup Batala, a ward chairman candidate from RPP in Naraharinath Rural Municipality of Kalikot District, succumbed to injuries. Batala, the candidate of ward number 6 of the Naraharinath, had received bullets in afternoon after Police open fire when cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist tried to capture the ballot boxes. Three others were injured in the incident.

A CPN-UML activist was killed at Pipalbhanjyang area in Dhading District. Laxman Chepang (30) was beaten to death with a stick inside an under construction house.

In Nilkantha Municipality - 5 of Dhading District, four persons were injured during a clash between NC and CPN-UML activists. CPN-UML accuse NC' activists of blocking their way following the conclusion of the voting process and attacking them with Khukuri, a traditional Nepali sword.

Cadres of Biplab-led CPN have taken under control election materials including ballot boxes in Mugu District. According to Police, a group of as many as 300 persons belonging to Biplab-led CPN took forcibly away the election materials at 10:45 am.

A socket bomb was recovered within the premises of the residence of CPN -UML mayoral candidate for Madhayapur Thimi Municipality in Bhaktapur District.

May 15

An IED found near the place of vote counting of Shankharapur Municipality on the north-eastern outskirts of the Kathmandu was defused.

A discussion was held between Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and RJP-N leaders at former's official residence in Kathmandu. The RJP-N has said that the party could participate in second phase of local level election slated for June 14 if their demands were addressed.

May 16 Chairman of FSF-N Upendra Yadav speaking at a function organized in Nepalgunj city of Banke District said there is no alternative to amending the constitution to make it sustainable.
May 17

Nepal Army defused a pressure cooker bomb in Parasi, the District headquarters of Nawalparasi. The bomb was planted near the office gate of the Nawalparasi District Contractors Association.

RJP-N leaders met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba separately and urged them to create a conducive environment for the second phase of local polls.

CPN-UML issuing a press release after the meeting of the party's standing committee urged the Government and the EC to promptly hold the second round of polls.

Issuing a joint statement, the experts on election and legal affairs, former bureaucrats and civil society members urged the EC not to increase the number of local units in southern plains of the country and revise federal boundaries ahead of the second phase of local elections scheduled for June 14, arguing that such moves will be against the established practices and election laws.

May 18 A Cabinet meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu decided to accept the Tharuhat Tarai-Madhes movement as a political one.
May 19

NHRC condemned Government's decision to withdraw charges against cadres of Madhes-Tharuhat.

CPN-UML condemned the Government's decision to withdraw cases filed against those who were allegedly involved in criminal offences during the Madhes-Tharuhat movements.

May 21

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal speaking at the anniversary celebration programme of Janakpur the capital of Dhanusa District said that Government is working to ratify statute amendment bill.

Prime Minister Dahal talking to media persons before addressing a politburo meeting of CPN-Maoist Centre in Janakpur of Dhanusa District said that the elections in Madhes would be like festival.

May 22

Government decided to increase 22 local levels in the Tarai District. A Cabinet meeting held at Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's residence in Baluwatar took a decision to this effect. With this, the total number of local levels has reached 766.

EC turned down Prime Minister Dahal's request to increase the number of local units in Tarai Districts before second round of local elections arguing that the election body is already behind the schedule.

May 23

CEC Ayodhi Prasad Yadav holding a press meet in Biratnagar city of in Morang District stated that the second phase of local level elections would be held in all the remaining civic bodies, including the newly added ones, on the stipulated date of June 14.

RJPN said that the Government's decision to increase the number of local units in Tarai falls short of creating a positive environment for the second phase of local elections.

May 24

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in a 29-minute televised address from Singhadarbar in Kathmandu announced his resignation from the premiership as per the "gentleman agreement" that was reached with the NC before the formation of the Coalition Government in August 2016.

May 25

EC refused to accommodate the new local units in the second round elections slated for June 14. In a meeting with outgoing Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and other political leaders, the election commissioners said they cannot reset the elections in the local units that are in the last stages of poll preparations.

Balananda Paudel, coordinator of the Local Body Restructuring Commission said the local units are unfeasible. "More local units mean more burden on taxpayers as they have to pay more tax for local governments." Paudel fears.

May 26

CPN-UML obstructed Parliament proceedings demanding that the Government roll back its decision to add 22 local levels in Tarai Districts.

SC stayed the Government's decision to add 22 local levels in Tarai Districts and upgrade some local levels.

Three major Madhes-centric political parties RJPN, Nepal Loktantrik Forum and Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal initiated discussions to forge consensus in the upcoming second phase of local level polls. However, the meeting ended inconclusively.

RJPN organizing a press conference in Kathmandu announced to boycott the second phase of the local polls accusing the Government of "not showing enough sincerity to fulfill its demands".

May 27

Two cadres of Jaya Krishna Goit led-JTMM-G were arrested from Rajbiraj- Chhinnamasta road section in Saptari District. The arrestees are Aditya Sharma (19) and Mohammad Nashir (33). Police recovered a pistol, two bullets, a mobile phone, 500 gm marijuana and pamphlets bearing the name of JTMM-G from them.

A four-party meeting held at Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's official residence in Kathmandu to forge consensus on the agitating forces demands ended inconclusively. Top leaders of the NC, the CPN-Maoist Centre, the CPN-UML and the RJPN attended the meeting.

May 28

CPN-Maoist Centre cadres tore ballot papers in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-10 of Chitwan District. Police arrested two CPN-Maoist Centre cadres Drona Babu Siwakoti and Madhu Neupane for tearing the ballot papers with votes. Cadres of RJPN on May 28 staged a baton rally at Gaur of Rautahat District to protest the second round of polls slated for June 14.

Police arrested two cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN from Danabari in Ilam District for carrying out activities against the elections. Those arrested are Jharendra Baral and Dilip Baral.

Ruling parties NC and CPN-Maoist Centre in a meeting held at Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's official residence proposed that the second phase of local level polls slated for June 14 be put off by 8-10 days.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal addressing the Parliament in response of lawmakers' queries on the Government's policy and programs said that no force on this earth can derail the second phase of local elections.

May 29

Government re-scheduled local polls to June 23 in an effort to bring the Madhes-based parties on board. "The government has decided to re-schedule the polls as it believes that the RJPN will also participate. Also, we have decided to amend the election law in order to ease their participation," said Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ramesh Lekhak.

May 30

CPN-UML boycotted an all-party meeting called by NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba to discuss formation of a national consensus Government.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal demanded to reconsider the rescheduled date of second round of the local level elections reasoning that Muslim's festival Eid ul Fitr falls on the election day of June 23.

Sajha Party issuing a press release urged the Government to reconsider its recent decision to hold the second phase of local level elections on June 23, the final day of the sacred festival of Muslims.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri during a two-hour meeting with top leaders of the RJPN held at Indian Embassy suggested RJPN to take part in the second phase of local elections.

RJPN said that the polls postponement was a positive development but insisted that more needs to be done to make conducive environment for the polls.

Two key Madhes-based parties - FSFN led by Upendra Yadav and NDF led by Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar - have intensified their preparations for the polls while the RJPN, which was formed after a merger of six Madhesi parties a little more than a month ago, is still undecided.

May 31

CPN-UML obstructed the Parliament demanding the vote count for Bharatpur Metropolitan City be resumed at the earliest.

EC published the new election schedule as per the Government decision of holding the second round of local level polls on June 28.

As the Government rescheduled the second phase of the local level elections on June 28, the agitating RJPN has suspended all programs of protest.

Federal Alliance decided to withdraw its torch rallies planned for June 1 and general strike planned for June 2 after the Government decided to reschedule the second phase of local polls.

June 1

Two cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist were arrested from Bhojpur District for carrying out activities against the elections.

CPN-UML obstructed Parliamentary proceedings as well, demanding resumption of vote counting in Bharatpur Metropolitan City without further delay.

NHRC issuing a press statement asked all parties concerned to respect people's mandate. NHRC said that its attention had been drawn to the Bharatpur Metropolitan City incident, where vote counting was halted after some ballot papers were torn by the representatives of political parties.

June 2

Nepali Army personnel have been mobilized in Sunsari District to ensure security in the run up to the second phase of local levels elections slated for June 28. Nepali Army personnel will maintain security in areas where cadres of Limbuwan and Netra Bikram Chand led CPN Maoist are running anti-election activities in the District.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal addressing the Police Inspector Basic Training 165th Batch convocation ceremony at the National Police Academy in Kathmandu directed Police to create environment for election.

June 3

An excavator was set on fire by five masked men at a bridge construction site in Gaidatar, Chandrapur Municipality-3 of Rautahat District. Locals speculated that the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist cadres are behind the arson attack, as the bridge construction team had refused to give donations to the party.

EC ordered to conduct re-polling in ward number 19 of Bharatpur Metropolitan City in Chitwan District.

CPN-UML decided to seek all kinds of remedy including the legal recourse against the decision of the EC to hold re-polling in Ward No 19 of Bharatpur Metropolitian City.

NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba filed his nomination at the Legislature-Parliament Secretariat for the post of Prime Minister.

June 4

Parliament could not elect a new Prime Minister as Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar adjourned the House till 1:00pm of June 6 as the main opposition party, CPN-UML, which has been stalling House proceedings over Bharatpur vote counting, sought two days for a negotiated settlement.

TRC started the probe into the cases of rights violation committed during the decade-long Maoist insurgency from Province 6. A three-member probe committee headed by Joint-Attorney General of the Surkhet High Court has started investigation into over 10,000 complaints of Province 6.

A Provincial level office of the TRC was set up in Biratnagar city of Morang District to settle conflict-era cases of Province No 1. The commission's was set up to probe various incidents and cases that took place from 1996 to 2006. As many as 6,288 cases have been filed at the TRC from Province No 1.

June 5

CPN-UML signed a four-point agreement with ruling alliance NC and CPN-Maoist Centre. The four-point deal includes holding the second phase of local level elections on June 28 in free, fair and peaceful manner. The deal also includes holding elections of provincial and federal parliament within the constitutional deadline, correcting flaws seen in the past elections and making the parliamentary probe committee active to investigate alleged poll-rigging in different Districts.

SC stayed the EC's June 3 decision to hold re-election in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-19. After a preliminary hearing on a writ, filed by ward member candidate Gunjaman Bishwakarma and Advocate Tulasi Pandey seeking the SC intervention, a single bench of Justice Cholendra Shamsher Rana ordered to maintain status quo on the EC decision till June 11.

June 6

NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba was elected 40th Prime Minister of Nepal. In the Prime Ministerial election held in the Parliament, Deuba secured 388 votes, eight short of two-third majority in the 593-member Parliament. Only 558 lawmakers took part in the election.

With uncertainty regarding RJP-N's participation in the second phase of civic polls slated for June 28 looming large, two central leaders along with dozens of party rank and file announced their disassociation from the party in Saptari.

June 7

Police in Rautahat District arrested two cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist from Chandranigahapur in Chandrapur Municipality. Police recovered 30 Guillotines, 22 detonators and 4 fuse devices in the possession of two men.

The first Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of newly elected Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has reiterated to hold the second phase of local level election on a stipulated date.

The Chairpersons of the TRC and the CIEDP speaking in the meeting of the Social Justice and Human Rights Committee under the Legislature-Parliament to discuss on the progress report and the action plan of the two transitional justice bodies said that the adjudication of post-conflict justice has been delayed as the related Acts of the two bodies await amendment from Parliament.

June 8

Parliament amended a provision of the Local Level Election Act through a fast-track process, smoothing the way for the agitating RJPN to participate in the second phase local polls scheduled for June 28.

RJPN leaders said that they would not take part in elections until their key demands, including constitution amendment, were met.

Federal Alliance issued a press release stating that it would announce additional protest programmes on June 11.

Chairman of FSF-N Upendra Yadav addressing an interaction at Reporter's Club Nepal in Kathmandu said that he was open to forging electoral alliances with political parties that were strongly committed to the republican order, inclusion and federalism.

June 9

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba reiterating the commitment to amend the Constitution after the second phase of local level elections urged the Madhesi parties to participate the second round of polls slated for June 28.

MoHA prepared Plan 'A' and Plan 'B' for security during the upcoming second phase of local level elections slated for June 28 in 461 local levels of 41 Districts of Province 1,2,5 and 7.

EC extended the deadline by three days for political parties which had failed to forward authentic party representatives for attesting to their election candidates and verifying their particulars including signatures.

June 10

A CPN-UML candidate for the local level elections was injured in a clash with NC cadres at Diprung Rural Municipality-3 in the Khotang District.

Ruling coalition rejected the proposal of the RJPN to reschedule the date of the second phase of local level elections. The RJPN put forward the proposal during the meeting of ruling coalition NC, CPN (Maoist Center) and RJPN in the presence of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba held at Singha Durbar.

RJPN leader Rajendra Mahato speaking at a press meet organized in Rajbiraj, the District headquarters of Saptari warned that holding the second phase of civic polls without amending the statute would invite a political disaster.

CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at a programme organized to welcome cadres from different political parties in the CPN-Maoist Centre at his residence in Lazimpat, Kathmandu urged Mohan Baidhya and Netra Bikram Chand to come for party unification.

June 11

Cadres of RJPN and Upendra Yadav-led FSP-N clashed with each other in Sarlahi District. The clash erupted following the demonstration organized by the RJPN to obstruct the mass meet of FSP-N.

RJPN leader Rajendra Mahato speaking at a press meet in Biratnagar said incumbent Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was attempting to commit a second blunder after assuming the post of the country's chief executive.

A day after the NC and CPN (Maoist Center) rejected its call for constitution amendment, the Federal Alliance declared fresh program of protest targeting to foil the second phase of the local elections.

June 12

RJPN cadres in Bara District beat up three polling officers in front of the office of the party office. The polling officers were there to make necessary arrangements for the June 28 elections.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at a meeting in Lazimpat, Kathmandu forged a consensus to hold talks with the RJPN in a bid to bring them on board for the second round of local polls on June 28.

RJPN did not submit documents required for participating in the second phase of local level elections. RJPN leader Rajendra Mahato said ?The government has not met our political demands and in this situation we cannot participate in the local polls.?

June 13

A general strike called by the RJPN to protest against the June 28 local level elections threw life out of gear in various Tarai Districts.

RJPN cadres thrown a stone at the vehicle (Ba 14 Chha 1347) belonging to Dr Suresh Kumar Kanodiya, NC mayoral candidate for Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City in Banke District. Police arrested Lalit Kumar Rauniyar on the charge of throwing a stone at Kanodiya?s vehicle.

In Janakpur, educational institutions and marketplaces remained shut while vehicles stayed off the roads. Protesters vandalised at least three vehicles at Mujeliya and one hardware shop at Bramarpura.

In Mahottari, RJP-N members vandalised a vehicle belonging to Deep Narayan Sah, a former state minister. Sah said he and his driver sustained injuries when protesters hurled stones at his vehicle. Protesters also obstructed a programme of an NGO being held at the Red Cross building in Jaleshwor.

In Saptari, passengers were left in the lurch after buses were stopped at Rupani, Shambhunath, Kadmaha and Kalyanpur areas along the East-West Highway. 

In Sarlahi, RJP-N supporters burnt tyres and obstructed vehicular movement at Malangawa, the district headquarters. The District Election Office cancelled training for election officials in view of the RJP-N protests.

In Kapilvastu, protesters shut Taulihawa, Krishna-nagar and Chandrauta Bazaar.

In Bara also, protesters burnt tyres and obstructed vehicular movement along the highways.

CEC Ayodhee Prasad Yadav speaking at the Reporters? Club said the preparations for the June 28 local polls have been completed, adding the elections could not be postponed under any circumstances.

MoHA spokesperson Deepak Kharel said the Ministry has made an up to eightfold increase in security presence in Tarai Districts to ensure free and fair elections.

June 14

Cadres of RJPN vandalised a vehicle on June 14, the second day of the four-day protest programme called by the party, in Rautahat District. The protesters vandalized the bus of Mahaveer Travels (Na 3 Kha 5611) heading from Kathmandu to Maulapur in the District.

RJPN cadres disrupted an orientation programme organized for election officers deputed in Saptari District by the District Election Office and reportedly took 55 election officers under control for an hour.

Top leaders including Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal held talks on June 14 with the RJP-N leaders, but they couldn?t reach any understanding on bringing the RJP-N on board the election scheduled for June 28.

RJPN leader Anil Jha organizing a press conference at Mahottari District headquarters, Jaleswor, said they would not participate in the local level election till the constitution is made friendly to Madhes.

CPN-UML during the standing committee meeting held at the party?s office in Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu urged the government to hold the local level elections on June 28 in the province number 1, 2, 5 and 7 in 43 Districts.

June 15

Government re-scheduled the scheduled June 28 local election in Province 2 for September 18 in a third phase. A Cabinet meeting decided to defer the polls in Province 2 and change the election calendar in the three other provinces.

The EC agreed to extend the time after discussion held between the Government and the EC officials at Singhadurbar about the second round of the local elections. Earlier, the time to file candidacy was scheduled on 16 June.

CPN-UML in a statement accused the Government of deferring local level elections of Province number 2 and termed it as an act to promotion of secession in the region.

RJPN said that the Government?s decision to conduct local level polls on September 18 in Province 2 is unacceptable to the party.

RJPN presidium leader Rajendra Mahato speaking at a function organized by Press Forum in Rautahat District warned that the country would plunge into a great crisis if the Government tried to hold the second phase of local level elections forcefully.

June 16

Police arrested 14 cadres of RJPN when they were about to padlock the Regional Election Office in Biratnagar city of Morang District.

RJPN said that it will continue its protests as the Government decided to hold second round of local level elections against the agreement reached with the RJPN and Federal Alliance.

Presidium member of RJPN, Raj Kishore Yadav at a news conference organized in Janakpur city of Dhanusa District blamed that the decision of the Government of holding the local-level election of province no 2 on September 18 was the conspiracy to disintegrate the Madhes.

June 17

Three cadres of RJPN injured in a Police firing at Parasi in Nawalparasi District. RJPN Chairperson Mahanta Thakur was addressing a protest programme organised at Buddha Chowk of the District headquarters by the party as an ongoing June 28 poll protest programme when clashes erupted between the cadres of the party and Police.

June 18

A CPN-UML cadre was died after being hit by a stone during a clash with NC cadres at Jogedi in Bajura District. Both the sides exchanged stones during an ugly fracas on their way to file nomination at the Chededaha Rural Municipality Election Office in the District.

A bomb went off injuring at least 10 persons in Gajeda of Banganga Municipality-4 of Kapilvastu District. The bomb exploded at the Gajedaha-Taulihawa road section at around 1:35 pm. The bomb exploded some 800 metres away from a polling station in Gajeda.

Police arrested two central committee members of RJPN for carrying out activities to obstruct the filing of nominations by candidates standing in the second phase of local level elections control from Hasuliya area of Kailali District.

NHRC issued a press release, saying its attention was drawn to the use of force by the security personnel in the protests organized by the RJPN and arrests made by security personnel.

June 19

Police in Bajura District arrested three suspects in connection with the death of CPN-UML supporter Hansh Rawat, who was killed in a clash between NC and CPN-UML cadres.

RJPN demanded immediate release of its supporters who were arrested from various places across the Tarai. RJPN leader Mahendra Raya Yadav claimed that around 455 people have been arrested by SFs since June 17.

SC summoned the agitating RJPN and the Government before giving a final verdict over a writ filed to stop the second round of local polls in 11 Districts in the Terai region on June 28.

June 20

One person was injured when a bomb was thrown in the house of of CPN-UML ward chairman candidate for Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-8 of Khotang District.

A RPP candidate was injured when a group of three persons attacked him at Itahari Sub Metropolitan City-8 in Sunsari District. The assailants on a motorcycle intercepted Shyam Pokharel on his way to home in the locality and attacked him with a dau.

NC leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, Bhimalendra Nidhi, said the local poll date for Province no 2 was postponed in agreement with the RJPN.

June 22

An unidentified group exploded bomb at the residence of mayoral candidate for CPN-Maoist Centre Gokarna Bhatta at Attariya Bazaar in Kailali District. The explosion smashed the window screens and caused damages to a door of his house.

CEC Ayodhee Prasad Yadav addressing the orientation for the national election observers organized by the NEOC in Kathmandu said that EC doesn't operate under Government's pressure and with political prejudice as it is governed by its own laws and regulations.

RPP Chairperson Kamal Thapa speaking at a party-organized election meeting in Udayapur District's Gaighat said failure to address the Madhes crisis in time might be detrimental to national security.

June 24

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba speaking at a press meet organized by Nepal Press Union in Bhimduttanagar, Kanchanpur District on June 24 said consensus would be forged on amendment of the constitution after the civic polls slated for June 28.

June 25

Five CPN-Maoist Centre cadres and a bus driver were injured when a bus they were travelling on was hit by a bomb explosion at Sunwal-3 of Nawalparsi District.

A bomb disposal team of the Nepal Army defused a bomb planted in front of the residence of NC mayoral candidate Mangal Prasad Tharu in Banganga Municipality of Kapilvastu District.

Police arrested four cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist involved in kidnapping a couple from Gongabu of Kathmandu.

June 26

Chandra Singh aka Sunrise (29), a cadre of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist was killed in a bomb explosion in Dhangadhi city of Kailali District. According to Police, Chandra Singh was carrying the bomb himself but it explode when he reached at the premises of GS and Sons Hotel.

Five people were injured in a clash ensued between the NC and CPN-Maoist Centre cadres in Sisne Rural Municipality-5, Rukum District. Among the injured, two are from the NC while remaining three are the CPN-Maoist Centre cadres, Police said.

A bomb was recovered near a polling centre at the Jana Prakash Higher Secondary School in Budhinanda Municipality of Bajura District. Later, the Nepal Army's bomb disposal team defused the bomb.

June 27

A bomb exploded at the house belonging to the NC in Siddheshwar of Bhojpur Municipality-4 of Bhojpur District. The explosion has partly damaged the house, however, no human casualties have been reported, according to Police.

June 28

A bomb has gone off at a polling center set up at Adarsha Adharbhut School located in Ward-7 of Ilam District at a time when voting was taking place. "The bomb explosion caused no human casualty", Chief District Officer Janakraj Dahal told.

The second round local elections were conducted enthusiastically in the 334 local units of Provinces 1, 5 and 7. According to preliminary details provided by the EC, voter turnout was 70.5 percent.

June 29

EC revised the voter turnout in the second phase of the local elections to 73.7 percent. The commission said the revision was based on the final details sent by the District Election Offices.

Claiming that the main opposition CPN-UML captured the polling center and chased away representatives of other parties in collaboration with security personnel and election officers, NC and CPN-Maoist Centre demanded re-polling at Chauparti Rural Municipality-4 and Sanphebagar Municipality-6 of Achham District.

June 30

EC advised Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to hold provincial and parliamentary elections separately but before fourth week of November to meet the constitutional deadline.

Amid growing voices within the RJP-N to withdraw support extended to the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Government, party leaders said the party would take a decision only after weighing options carefully.

July 2

Irked with the Government's indifference to address its demands, the agitating RJPN has been mulling withdrawing its support to the Government.

EC has formed a committee to make an action plan for holding provincial and parliamentary elections on the dates it has suggested to the Government.

July 4

Saying that three-tiers of elections should be held by January 21, 2018 as per the constitutional provision, the EC has asked the Government to provide laws and the report of the Commission to conduct the polls.

CPN-UML Secretary Pradeep Gyawali speaking at an interaction programme organized in Kathmandu said that the party is optimistic to endorse a new constitution amendment bill if tabled in the Parliament in consent with the party.

July 7

A meeting of the NC, the CPN-Maoist Center and the RJPN at Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's official residence decided to amend the constitution by mid-July.

RJPN, which boycotted the local level elections so far, approached EC, seeking to get registered with the election body to participate in the upcoming elections including the third round of local elections scheduled for September 18.

July 8

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli said his party would not accept the Constitution Amendment bill put forth by the ruling parties.

July 9

FSF-N stated that the Constitution Amendment Bill registered in the Parliament is incomplete, vague and it would not help in addressing the problems and demands of marginalized community.

July 10

TRC set up its Province 3 field office in Patan, Lalitpur District. The transitional mechanism has already set up field offices in six other provinces. Every field office will begin investigation into 1,000 cases of human rights violation.

CPN-Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal addressing a programme at his residence to welcome the leaders of different political parties in the CPN-Maoist Centre said that Maoist agendas have prevailed despite the victory of candidates of the NC and the CPN-UML and others in the local level elections.

July 11

The ruling alliance told the agitating RJPN that it would not be able to get the constitution amendment bill passed in the Legislature-Parliament any time soon.

July 12

A delegation from the TRC called on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and apprised him of the need to amend the TRC Act.

July 16

RJPN was registered with the EC. On July 7, RJPN leaders had filed an application at the EC, seeking to get registered with the election body to participate in the third round of local elections to be held in Province 2 on September 18.

EC during a meeting with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba drew the Prime Minister's attention to urgency of forming CDC, whose report is essential to hold provincial and parliamentary elections.

FSP-N and NSP-N issuing a joint statement maintained that a revised constitution amendment bill should be passed by the House to foster conducive environment for elections.

Information Officer of the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction Durga Prasad Bhurtel said that offices of the Local Peace Committees in all 75 Districts are scrapped from today as per the secretary-level decision taken on June 14.

July 18

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said 165 constituencies will be devised as per constitution. Deuba urged all not to be swayed by the rumour of 240 constituencies.

Ruling parties said that Government is ready to put the constitution amendment bill to a vote if the RJPN pledges to participate in the third phase of the local elections irrespective of the bill's fate.

EC at a meeting of office bearers held at its central office in Kathmandu has decided to update voter lists in all 744 local levels - rural municipalities, municipalities, sub-metropolitan cities and metropolitan cities - throughout the country.

July 19

RJPN leaders rejected the ruling parties' proposal to accept the result of voting on the constitution amendment bill.

July 21

Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Affairs Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar speaking to media persons at Biratnagar Airport ruled out the possibility of constitution amendment before the third phase of local level elections slated for September 18.

RRP at its CWC meeting decided to support the constitution amendment proposal registered in the Parliament. The meeting also decided to form religion and culture council to advocate for the establishment of Nepal as a Hindu nation.

Unification process between Baburam Bhattrai-led NSPN and Upendra Yadav-led FSFN has reached the final point and the two parties will merge on August 11.

July 23

Addressing a press meet organized to unveil the CPN-Maoist Center Secretariat decision at the party's headquarters in Parisdanda, Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that only directly elected President and a Prime Minister elected from the Parliament could guarantee stability and prosperity in the country.

Senior CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal speaking at a programme marking the Memorial Day of leader Puspalal in Bhangeri, Ramechhap said the constitution could be amended on the ground of necessity only after completion of all levels of elections.

July 24

CWC of the NC at a meeting decided to put the constitution amendment bill to vote without waiting for parties' support.

Durga Prasad Bhurtel, Information Officer at Peace and Reconstruction Ministry said that 80 per cent budget of the Peace and Reconstruction Ministry was spent on relief amount for war victims this fiscal.

July 25

RJPN leader Mahantha Thakur in a face to face programme organized by Rafat Sanchar Club in Bhaktapur District said that his party will not participate in third phase of local polls in Province No 2 unless the constitution is amended as per their demands.

July 27

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in a meeting with Election Commissioners proposed the EC to conduct both the provincial and central parliamentary elections simultaneously citing time constraints.

NC General Secretary Dr Shashanka Koirala talking with office bearers and members of the central committee of NPU at his residence in Maharajgunj said the constitution amendment proposal registered in Legislature Parliament would be proceeded.

CPN-UML standing committee meeting has drawn the attention of the CDC to fix the election constituencies soon. The meeting urged the Commission to maintain impartiality and objective grounds while fixing the constituencies. The meeting has suspected over the timely completion of the three-tier of elections by upcoming January as the government delayed to form the commission.

July 28

CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli said parliamentary polls should be held before holding the provincial elections.

July 29

CDC collected suggestions from politicians, social workers, intellectuals and civic society representatives in Pokhara District.

July 30

Senior leaders of the ruling alliance said that the Government is tabling the constitution amendment bill to a vote in the next few days regardless of the result.

SC ordered a fresh election in Ward Number 19 of Bharatpur Metropolitan City.

CEC Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said that the election of the provincial assembly and the House of Representatives was not possible together for constitutional as well as managerial reasons.

July 31

EC directed chief returning officer of Chitwan District to conduct repolling in Bharatpur-19 as soon as possible after the SC on July 30 ordered a fresh election in Ward Number 19 of Bharatpur Metropolitan City.

CPN-UML at its standing committee meeting concluded that the SC's decision to conduct re-election in Bharatpur Metropolitan City Ward No 19 has disrespected the people's mandate and the party is worried about the verdict setting a wrong precedent.

August 1 Office of the Chief Returning Officer in Chitwan District announced that it would hold re-polling in Bharatpur-19 on August 4.
August 2

Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation Mahendra Yadav said a constitution amendment bill tabled at the Parliament would be endorsed before the third phase of local level elections in Province number 2 on September 18.

CDC said that it could not fulfill demands, which were beyond its jurisdiction. "We cannot fulfill majority of demands as they are beyond our jurisdiction," CDC Chairperson Kamal Narayan Das told.

August 3

RPP Chairman Kamal Thapa addressing a cadres training progamme organized in Hetaunda city of Makwanpur District announced that it won't join the incumbent coalition Government led by NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba.

CEC Ayodhi Prasad Yadav said the CDC should not delineate constituencies in a way that allows overlapping of rural municipalities and division of wards - the lowest unit of local levels.

August 4

75 per cent voters were turnout in Baraptur repoll. Of the total 3, 797 voters, 2, 870 voters cast their votes, according to District Election Office Chief Hari Dhakal.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba speaking at a press meet organized in Janakpurdham said the third phase of civic polls slated for September 18 in Province 2 could not be postponed on any ground.

CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel speaking at a press meet organized by Bara UML Publicity Department in Simara said the completion of the upcoming third phase of civic polls would be the first step towards implementing the new constitution in the country.

Ganesh Raj Karki, spokesperson for CDC said CDC is all set to start data analysis and report writing from tomorrow as it has completed the task of collecting suggestions from the public.

August 5

Four Policemen were injured in a pressure cooker bomb explosion in Surunga Municipality-6 of Saptari District. The bomb, planted by unidentified men and hidden in a road depression, exploded at around 9:35 pm.

Renu Dahal of the CPN-Maoist Center, daughter of the party's chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has won the election for the post of mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, defeating CPN-UML's candidate Devi Gyawali by 203 votes.

A source at the CDC said office bearers were mulling over the possibility of giving 90 per cent weightage to population and 10 per cent weightage to geography while delineating electoral Districts.

A source at the CDC said office bearers were mulling over the possibility of giving 90 per cent weightage to population and 10 per cent weightage to geography while delineating electoral Districts.

August 7

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba told the EC to make preparations for holding both provincial and parliamentary polls simultaneously.

Minister for Supplies Shiva Kumar Mandal said that the Government was committed to bringing the RJPN on board the polls while continuing activities initiated by erstwhile Government in a bid to increase ownership of the new constitution.

August 8

RPP withdrew its support to the Government alleging that the Government played a role in splitting the party. In a party meeting, RPP leaders accused the Government of failing to address Madhes issues, not running the Government effectively and indulging in corruption.

RJPN has decided not to take part in the third phase of local level elections to be held in Province 2 on September 18. RJPN leader Manish Kumar Suman said "We have also decided to announce protest programmes to disrupt the third phase of local level elections if the government does not address our demands within a week."

ICJ in a discussion paper released said Nepal's transitional justice mechanisms must undergo serious reform in line with international human rights standards and the directives of SC in order to provide justice for victims of conflict-era human rights violations and abuses.

August 9

Chairman of RPP-D Pashupati Shumsher Rana during an interaction organized in Kathmandu said his party would join the Government after fulfilling the process of getting registered with the EC and with the Parliament Secretariat.

August 10

SC approved the Government's decision of making changes in the number of local-level units in Terai region.

CPN-UML senior leader and former Prime Minister Jhalanath Kahnal speaking in a programme organized in Phikkal of Ilam District claimed that the constitution amendment bill would not be endorsed at any cost as it was an irrelevant tune.

August 11

RJPN agreed to take part in the third phase of local level polls after the ruling parties agreed to put the constitution amendment bill to vote.

August 13

The ruling parties have agreed to increase nine local units in Province 2 in order to bring the agitating RJPN onboard the election process.

August 15

EC asked Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to announce the date for polls and provide the report of the CDC and pass election related laws, immediately.

August 16

Parliament began clause-wise discussion on the constitution amendment bill. Speaker Onsari Gharti said discussion on the bill would continue in the next Parliament meeting scheduled for August 20.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba sought help from all parties that have representation in the Parliament to pass the constitution amendment bill.

Three major political parties at a meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence, Baluwatar, have agreed to hold the federal and provincial elections on the same day by coming December 1.

August 17

EC agreed to hold provincial and parliamentary elections in single phase after the Government committed to address its demands.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Yagya Bahadur Thapa while addressing an interaction programme in Kathmandu said the constitution amendment bill tabled at the House looks unlikely to be passed without the support of main opposition CPN-UML.

August 18

Government added nine local levels to Province 2, where third phase of local level polls will be held on September 18. With this addition, the number of local levels has reached 753 in the country and 136 in Province 2.

RJPN presidium member Rajendra Mahato during an interaction with journalists in Dhanusha District said a positive environment for election is building up.

August 20

Chairman of RPP Kamal Thapa at a meeting of the party's central working committee held in Hetauda city of Makwanpur District said that the party has decided to vote against the constitution amendment bill tabled at the Legislature-Parliament.

August 21

The meeting of the Legislature Parliament held could not endorse the second Constitution Amendment Bill. As many as 347 lawmakers voted in favor of the Bill while 206 lawmakers voted against it.

Government announced to hold the provincial and federal House of Representatives elections on November 26. A Cabinet meeting held in Singhadarbar decided to write to the EC to hold both the elections on November 26.

RJPN leaders said will participate in the upcoming elections despite amendment defeat. RJPN leader Brishesh Chandra Lal said "The rejection of the bill has raised a serious question about the willingness of some parties to make the constitution acceptable to all communities. It has further isolated the moderate Madhesis and Janajatis fighting for equal rights."

August 22

CPN-Maoist Center at a meeting at Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's residence blamed 'arrogance' of the main opposition CPN-UML was responsible for failure of the constitution amendment bill in the Parliament.

August 23

RJPN decided to take part in the third phase of local level polls slated for September 18. Member of the RJPN presidium Rajendra Mahato said a meeting of the party took a decision to this effect. He said the party also decided to take its agenda that was not passed by the Parliament to voters.

August 24

President Bidya Devi Bhandari approved a decision of the NSC to mobilize the Nepal Army for the upcoming local polls slated for September 18.

RJPN decided to take part in local, provincial and parliamentary elections and use 'bicycle' as its election symbol.

August 25

EC at a meeting of EC office bearers, including Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav, held in Kathmandu issued an eight-point directive to the Government regarding preparation for the third phase of local level elections and provincial and parliamentary polls.

August 28

CPN- Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal talking to media persons in Biratnagar said that the Constitution amendment issue irrelevant for time being.

August 29

Cadres of RJPN pelted stones at the CPN-UML supporters at Janakpur city in Dhanusa District during a mass gathering that was being addressed by senior party leaders including former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba addressing Gaura Festival in Tundikhel, Kathmandu said Nepal would strive in development paths after successfully holding all elections for the implementation of Constitution and Federalism.

War victims' families at an event held on the eve of the International Day of the Disappeared organized by NEFAD, ICRC and NRCS in Kathmandu expressed frustration over the snail-paced progress made by the CIEDP.

August 30

Backtracking on its previous decision, the Government decided to hold the provincial and federal elections in two phases on November 26 and December 7.

CDC submitted its report to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba carving out 165 FPTP Electoral Districts for the House of Representatives and 330 FPTP constituencies for provinces.

NHRC said it was concerned as the whereabouts of the disappeared remained unknown even 10 years after the signing of CPA. It also called on the TRC and the CIEDP to investigate cases of disappearance without any bias recommend necessary action against the perpetrators and ensure proper reparation to the victims' families.

August 31

CPN-Maoist Centre cadre Ashok Kumar Sah Kalwar who was pronounced guilty of murder by the District Court of Bara, lured by financial inducement and under pressure from Home Minister Janardan Sharma has been let free instead of being jailed.

September 1

RJPN submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, opposing the report submitted by CDC. The party had drawn the attention of the Government to the discriminatory report of CDC which reduced five parliamentary electoral Districts in Madhes. The party also said that the CDC created electoral Districts to suit the interests of the major three parties and the report also broke clusters of ethnic groups and communities.

September 4

The report of the CDC was presented at the Legislature-Parliament meeting. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Yagya Bahadur Thapa, on behalf of the Prime Minister, presented the report in the meeting.

SC directed the Government to hold all types of elections, including the election for the President and Vice-President of the country by January 21.

September 7

EC allotted election symbols to all 91 parties registered at the EC for provincial and parliamentary polls slated for November 26 and December 7. Out of 95 political parties which applied for registration, 91 got election symbols while four merged with other parties.

September 8

Parliament passed the Madhesi Commission Bill unanimously. Other two bills - Tharu Commission Bill and Muslim Commission Bill - that were listed in the Parliamentary business schedule could not be passed due to lack of quorum.

CPN-Revolutionary Maoist Party Chairman Mohan Baidya addressing a media in Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolitan City said the party would take part in the upcoming provincial and parliamentary elections.

September 10

EC issued a public notice urging the parties registered with it to submit their applications if they wished to contest parliamentary and provincial polls under the PR electoral system.

September 11

EC unveiled the calendar of provincial and parliamentary elections scheduled to be held simultaneously in two phases on November 26 and December 7.

September 12

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba addressing a poll campaign in Rajbiraj town of Saptari District said that the Government is preparing to put the constitution amendment bill to vote in Parliament after the local elections.

Chairperson of CPN- Revolutionary Maoist Mohan Baidya speaking at a press meet organized in Kathmandu has ruled out ever possibility of reunion with the CPN-Maoist Centre.

September 13

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba addressing the press in Jankapur city of Dhanusa District reaffirmed his pledge to amend the constitution and promised to do it under his party's leadership.

September 14

An unidentified gang abducted chief of Thawang Rural Municipality, Bir Bahadur Gharti in Rolpa District. The cadres of the Biplov led Communist Party of Nepal are suspected to be behind Gharti's abduction planned with an aim to disrupt the 1st Village Assembly of Thawang Rural Municipality.

EC charted out details of the Districts going to polls in the first and second phases. The EC said that a total of 32 Districts from across the seven provinces will go to polls in the first round on November 26. Out of 77 Districts, the remaining 45 Districts will go to polls on December 7.

September 15

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba addressing an election assembly of the NC organized in Birgunj said that the NC would leave no stone unturned to empower the Madhesi people with rights by amending constitution.

September 18

Voting for the third phase conducted in 136 local units in various Districts of Province 2.

EC said the third phase of local level elections was held peacefully, with 73 per cent voter turnout in the eight Districts of Province 2.

September 19

Two cadres of the CPN-UML were injured in a clash between NC cadres and the CPN-UML cadres, when vote counting was underway at Brindaban Municipality in Rautahat District.

Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN-Maoist cadres vandalized a state-owned vehicle at Ratna Chowk in Pokhara-Lekhnath Metropolitan City of Kaski District.

September 20

A cadre of RJPN was killed in a clash with cadres of NC in Katahariya Municipality in Rautahat District over an election row.

DECON in its report said that money and muscle were massively used in third round of local elections held in the eight Districts of Province 2.

September 21

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at a reception programme said that it was inevitable to hold all three tiers of elections in the stipulated dates for the effective implementation of the Constitution.

September 22

As part of the preparations to hold the upcoming parliamentary and provincial elections, the EC finalized the design of the ballot papers to be used for the PR electoral system.

September 23

Four NC cadres were seriously injured after the CPN-UML cadres thrashed them on the way to a victory rally in Brindaban Rural Municipality-5 in Rautahat District.

September 25

An unidentified group shot dead Mohammad Abusaiyab (25), son of NC candidate Mohammad Serajuddin who was defeated in Ward No 2 of Paroha Municipality in Rautahat District. Police said that the incident might have taken place on the issue of elections.

September 29

In another post-election violence, Sawmill proprietor Birendra Saha (45) of Balchanpur Baradewa of Chandrapur Municipality-10 was found dead with serious head injuries resulted in from attacks by a sharp-edged weapon in Rautahat District.

September 30

A three-year-old girl was killed in a clash occurred between the two neighbors in post-election violence in Rautahat District. The Yadav family is reportedly close to NC while the Chaudhary family is said to be the supporter of CPN-UML.

October 2

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba addressing a mass rally organized by NC at Majagaun in Rupandehi District said that the constitution would be amended to address the demands of Madhesi people.

CPN-Maoist Center at the secretariat meeting of the party decided to make electoral alliance with main opposition CPN-UML for upcoming elections.

RJPN suffered a blow as five of its leaders struck a deal with the CPN-UML to contest the upcoming provincial and parliamentary elections with the CPN-UML's election symbol - the sun.

October 3

Amid a press conference organized in Kathmandu, the chiefs of three left political parties - CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Center and NSP-N - formed an electoral alliance to contest the upcoming Provincial and Parliamentary elections.

EC of Nepal appointed 165 officials as the Chief Returning Officers and Returning Officers in all the 77 Districts to conduct the elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies.

Nepal's constitution has been published in the Tharu language, spoken in western Nepal. Yek Raj Chaudhary has translated the country's main law into the Tharu language.

October 4

Responding to the move of main opposition party CPN-UML to forge a leftist alliance for the upcoming provincial and federal elections, a meeting held at the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba official residence at Baluwatar between the top leaders of NC, RJPN, FSFN, RPP, RPP-D and MJF have decided to forge an electoral alliance for the upcoming provincial and parliamentary elections.

CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Center and NSP-N formed a seven-member Unity Coordination Committee under CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel to draft a common election manifesto.

October 5

An alliance of 33 fringe political parties decided to take part in the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies with the election symbol of 'sickle and hammer', the symbol of CPN-Maoist Center.

October 6

NC CWC concluded that the left alliance was against national unity and democratic system, and could affect constitution implementation and the peace process.

As the process of forging an electoral alliance between and among political parties has presently intensified, the FSF-N and RJPN announced their agreement on forging the electoral alliance for the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies together.

October 9

RPP decided to extend its support to Sher Bahadur Deuba Government who is busy in an exercise to cobble together an effective coalition to counter a left electoral alliance formed by his coalition partner, CPN-Maoist Centre and the main opposition CPN-UML.

General Secretary of FSF-N Ram Sahaya Yadav at an interaction programme in Kathmandu said the party would forge electoral alliance with RJPN and NC for upcoming polls to address the feelings of Madhesi people.

October 11

CPN-United and CPN-Maoist Centre at a formal function organized in Kathmandu announced unification between the two leftist forces to bolster their performance in the upcoming polls.

RPP Chairman Kamal Thapa during an interaction in Butwal said that his party is planning to join the Government to ensure majority Government and elections.

October 12

CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre during a meeting of the three top leaders held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluawatar warned Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba not to remove Ministers or postpone the scheduled elections.

CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre during a meeting of the three top leaders held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluawatar warned Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba not to remove Ministers or postpone the scheduled elections.

October 13

NSPN at the meeting of the party's Provincial Secretariat in Kathmandu decided to go it alone in the upcoming provincial and parliamentary elections and exited the left electoral alliance.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba addressing an all-party meeting organized by the EC at its central office in Kantipath said the Government was committed to hold both provincial and the parliamentary elections on the stipulated dates.

As a part of his plan to reshuffle the cabinet and relieve the Ministers representing CPN-Maoist Center of their portfolios, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba wrote to the Office of President, informing his decision to induct eight Ministers including four State Ministers from RPP in his cabinet.

October 14

Parliament was dissolved at midnight. As per the constitutional provision, the term of the Parliament ends a day before candidates file their nomination for House of Representatives elections.

After a team from the EC led by CEC Ayodhee Yadav held consultations with President Bidya Devi Bhandari over the cabinet reshuffle, the EC has given its go ahead for the induction of eight Ministers from the RPP into Sher Bahadur Deuba's cabinet.

A meeting of the CPN-Maoist Centre Secretariat decided not to withdraw its support to the Government or recall its Ministers.

October 15

As many as 52 political parties submitted their closed list for the proportional representation in the elections of House of Representatives and State Assemblies at the Office of the EC in Kathmandu.

October 16

Bijay Kumar Gachhadar returned to his mother party when his party NDF merged with the NC. Gachhadar, who had left the NC 10 years ago, made an emotional speech about his homecoming at Baluwatar with tears rolling down his cheeks.

Nepal has been elected member of the UNHRC for the first time since UNHRC's creation in 2006.

During a meeting between Kathmandu-based Ambassadors of almost all countries except India and China and top leaders of CPN-Maoist Centre, the envoys urged CPN-Maoist Center to demonstrate some 'flexibility' so that the long cry of conflict victims for transitional justice is met.

October 17

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba reshuffled the Cabinet, stripping Ministers and Ministers of State representing the CPN-Maoist Centre of their portfolios.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba while addressing the 'National Strategic Training' organized by Nepal Students Union, the sister organization of the NC in Kathmandu said that democracy is challenged by the leftist alliance.

October 20

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba addressing a greeting exchange ceremony organized by the NC Bhaktapur District Committee said that the broader leftist electoral alliance and unification after the elections would be a threat to democracy in Nepal.

Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of NDF Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar said NDF merger with NC is aimed at addressing the demands of Madhes issues among others.

October 22

Candidates representing various political parties filed nominations for the first phase elections to Federal Parliament and Provincial Assemblies in 32 Districts.

October 23

NSC assessed that the Netra Bikram Chand-led Nepal Communist Party is a major security threat to the upcoming parliamentary and provincial elections scheduled on November 26 and December 7.

As many as 807 people have filed their candidacy for the first phase of the elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies to be held on November 26.

CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said he would opt for directly elected presidential system once his party and the CPN-UML unified.

October 25

EC published the names of 705 candidates who will contest parliamentary and provincial first-past-the-post election scheduled for November 26.

EU deployed an EOM to Nepal to observe the federal parliament and provincial assembly polls scheduled for November 26 and December 7.

October 26

EC Spokesperson Navaraj Dhakal said that printing of ballot papers for PR elections had been completed.

Left alliance formed by the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre said that postponing the upcoming elections under any pretext would be a threat to democracy.

October 27

RJP-N and FSF-N have accused NC of not taking seriously the task of forming a democratic alliance seriously.

October 29

Government released NR 5 billion for the preparations of federal and provincial elections scheduled for November 26 and December 7.

October 30

Political parties submitted the revised final closed lists of their candidates for the PR category of vote to the EC.

CEC Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav furnished a written response to SC stating that the EC has started to print separate ballot papers of FPTP of House of Representatives and State Assemblies respectively.

October 31

Police arrested absconding murder convict CPN-Maoist Centre leader Bal Krishna Dhungel from his rented room in Satdobato of Lalitpur District in the murder case of Ujjan Kumar Shrestha on June 24, 1998.

CPN-Maoist Centre has called for release of its leader Bal Krishna Dhungel. Stating his arrest was against the peace agreement, party spokesperson Pampha Bhusal condemned the arrest.

NC President and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba addressing a function organized at the party's headquarters in Sanepa to unveil the party's election manifesto said the left alliance forged by the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre had posed serious threat to democracy as they seek to impose communist totalitarianism in the country.

November 1

ICJ's report 'Achieving Justice for Gross Human Rights Violations in Nepal' concludes that impunity for gross human rights violations is one of the major obstacles to the creation of a stable and legitimate democratic Government and lies at the heart of the rule of law crisis in Nepal.

November 2

4,708 candidates filed their nomination papers for provincial and parliamentary FPTP elections scheduled in 45 Districts for December 7.

EC approved 56 organizations including four international and 52 domestic organizations for monitoring the upcoming parliamentary and provincial elections slated for November 26 and December 7.

November 3

EC unveiled lists of provincial and parliamentary PR candidates submitted by parties. The poll panel said political parties had submitted names of 6,094 candidates.

RJP-N and FSF-N have requested voters to help them garner two-third majority in the Parliament so that they could amend the statute to make it 'acceptable to all'.

November 4

CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal addressing an election rally convened at Madi said that the killing of 38 people in the detonation of a bomb against a moving bus at Badarmudhe in Madi, Chitwan District on June 6, 2005 was the biggest mistake committed by the Maoists during their 10-year insurgency.

November 9

IGP AKM Shahidul Hoque while addressing a community policing gathering on terrorism and drug abuse at Shibganj Stadium in Chapainawabganj District as the chief guest said that militants are trying to reorganize.

November 10

Two persons were injured in a clash that broke out between the cadres of NC and left alliance in Sotang of Solukhubmu District. The injured persons are NC District treasurer Pema Tamang and Ghanshyam Nepali of left alliance.

November 13

CPN-Maoist Centre Pushpa Kamal Dahal talking briefly to media persons during election campaigning at Chitwan Constituency-3 said the CPN-Maoist Centre and the CPN-UML would be unified only after elections.

November 14

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli speaking at a programme organized to merge Naya Shakti Patrty local committee to the CPN-UML at Lokanthali in Bhaktapur District said that some forces were plotting conspiracies to murder the left alliance candidates, after panicking over from the rising popularity of the alliance.

CPN-UML leader Sherdhan Rai's bodyguard Assistant Sub Inspector of Police Dilli Devkota was injured in a bomb attack at a turning point above a gompa near Pikhu Khola in Bhojpur District.

November 15

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli at an election gathering in Besishahar of Lamjung District said unification between the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre would take place soon after the upcoming provincial and parliamentary elections.

November 16

CPN-Maoist Centre leader and left alliance Gorkha-2 candidate for the parliamentary polls Narayan Kaji Shrestha escaped unhurt when an IED device went off at Sirdikhola of Gorkha District.

Police arrested four cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN from different parts of Bhojpur District for bomb attack on the vehicle carrying CPN-UML leader Sherdhan Rai.

November 17

Five persons were injured when an IED went off targeting vehicles carrying former Minister and NC leader Ram Sharan Mahat and his supporters at Dandagaun of Kakani Rural Municipality in Nuwakot District.

An IED was hurled at vehicles carrying CPN-Maoist Centre leaders Onsari Gharti Magar, Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Barshaman Pun near Satdobato in Rolpa District Municipality.

November 18

Eight persons including a minor were injured in a bomb blast targeting the election campaign of the left alliance near Radha-Krishna Temple of Chandrapur Municipality-5 in Rautahat District.

A Policeman was injured when a pressure cooker bomb went off targeting NC senior leader Ram Chandra Paudel at Nepal Danda of Bhanu Municipality-10 in Tanahun District.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli accused the incumbent Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Government of being incompetent.

November 19

A pressure cooker bomb ambushed targeting the candidate for the House of Representatives Bhumi Tripathi, chairperson of CPN-UML Dhading District in Damechaur-4 of Thakre Rural Municipality in Dhading District. No one was injured in the incident.

In the wake of a spate of bomb blasts targeting election candidates and campaigners, a press release issued by the Home Ministry said personnel of all security agencies - Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department - were deployed across the country for poll security. Over 98,000 temporary cops are also working in tandem with the security agencies.

November 20

A bomb was exploded at the residence of Champadevi Khadka, Minister of Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation in Laligurans Chowk of Baglung District. No human casualties have been reported from the incident.

NC senior leader Ram Chandra Paudel while addressing an election rally at Rainas Municipality in Lamjung District said that the recently formed leftist alliance is against the democracy.

November 21

A socket bomb was recovered in Dhading District's Gajuri Rural Municipality-2, along the Prithvi Highway. A Nepal Army bomb disposal team from Devidatta Battalion later confirmed and defused the bomb.

EC's High Level Election Security Committee Coordinator, Sudhir Kumar Saha, said that the minor untoward incidents that have occurred sporadically could not be made a basis to assert that the entire security arrangement as weak.

November 22

Madhu Sudan Paudel, a school teacher was arrested for planting a bomb at the house of NC leader Uddav Bahadur Thapa at Shivapuri-4 in Nuwakot District. Poudel is reported to be the District leader of the teachers association close to NCP.

MoHA said the Government had made foolproof security arrangements to ensure that the first phase of parliamentary and provincial elections took place in a free, fair and fearless environment.

November 23

A woman was severely injured in a clash that broke out between cadres of NC and CPN-Maoist Centre in Rukum District. Following the scuffle, Police arrested four people for their alleged involvement in triggering the incident.

There were two attacks in two different places of Rasuwa District. At Chiuribot of Kalika rural municipality-2, cadres of Naya Shakti stopped a vehicle of CPN-UML and attacked those inside. At Syafrubesi of Gosaikunda rural municipality, cadres of the Democratic Alliance also attacked Karnel Lama's house. Lama is the candidate for Provincial Assembly from CPN-UML.

November 24

A pedestrian was injured in a bomb explosion near the election rally organized by Niran Rai, a candidate representing the left alliance for provincial elections in Ward No. 9 of Dhankuta District. The injured is identified as Tej Bahadur Karki.

A pressure cooker bomb was recovered at the NC General Secretary Dr Shashanka Koirala's election publicity office at Dumkauli in Devchuli Municipality in Nawalpur District.

Police arrested 16 cadres of NCP involved in anti-election activities from various places in Chitwan District. Among the arrested is also the District in charge of NCP, Lal Bahadur BC.

Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN cadres abducted Gopal Bahadur Nepali, Chairman of ward no. 1 in Kushe Rural Municipality, Jajarkot District.

CPN-Maoist Centre Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal addressing an election rally organized by the leftist alliance in Bharatpur-18, for the upcoming polls asserted that there is no turning back after the leftist parties are formally unified after the upcoming elections.

November 25

Six people were injured after a clash erupted between NC and left alliance cadres on the eve of the provincial and parliamentary polls at Dinkushe Rural Municipality in Jajarkot District.

Two CPN-UML cadres Bidur Sigdel and Safal Sigdel were injured when cadres of the NC clashed with CPN-UML activists at Ghiring Rural Municipality, Tanahun District.

A pressure cooker bomb was detonated targeting the house of Minister of State for Livestock Development Shambhu Lal Shrestha based in Ranigunj of Sarlahi District. The rear compound wall of the house was damaged by the explosion.

A powerful bomb exploded targeting a vehicle carrying NC parliamentary candidate of Nawalparasi constituency-2 Bishnu Karki and provincial candidate Bishnu Lamichhane at Jhirubhangyang in Nawalparasi District.

November 26

The first phase of provincial and parliamentary elections - the first parliamentary polls since 1999 - was held with a voter turnout of over 65 per cent across the 32 Mountain and Hill Districts of six provinces that went to the polls.

EC said that the polls were "peaceful" except for violent incidents in a few polling centres, making the first-phase vote a "historic success.

Ministry of Home Affairs said the federal parliamentary and provincial assembly elections held in 32 Districts remained peaceful.

Three persons sustained injuries in clashes erupted among voters of the democratic and leftist alliances at Deurali Primary School polling centre in Sindhupalchowk District.

Two Policemen were injured after an unidentified gang shot them during a security check in Niradnama of Siraha District. The injured ones are Mageram Yadav and Adarsha Yadav.

A bomb exploded at the main gate of Panchakanya Secondary School election centre when voters were casting their ballots at Chyangre in Pauwadung Rural Municipality-3, in Bhojpur District.

A bomb was exploded at Bhagawati Secondary School at Aatharai Tribeni Rural Municipality at around 10:00 am in Taplejung District.

A sutali bomb went off at a polling station in Chyangre of Pauwadumma Rural Municipality- 3 in Bhojpur District.

An unidentified group hurled bomb at staffs transporting ballot boxes from Chaurjahari to Musikot at Ghartikada of Chaurjahari Municipality-6 in Rukum District.

A bomb was recovered near Kummayak Rural Municipality-based Siddha Secondary School polling centre in Panchthar District. A bomb disposal team of the Nepali Army defused the explosive.

Voters loyal to the left alliance captured the Gaurishankr Rural Municipality-based Suri polling centre in Dolakha District and chased away NC-aligned voters.

Police arrested seven persons of left alliance after they tried to capture Eklebari Ward Office polling centrer at Tamakoshi Rural Municipality-1 in Dolakha District.

As many as 2,575 voters of Tingla in Solukhumbu District boycotted elections due to non-fulfilment of their demand of merging Tingla into Solududhkund Municipality.

November 27

One Policeman was injured in a bomb explosion targeting a team of security personnel carrying ballot boxes at Kushe Rural Municipality-1 in Jajarkot District. Police suspected Biplav-led Maoist's involvement in the incident.

In Jhapa District, a sutali bomb went off at NC's parliamentary candidate Krishna Prasad Sitaula's home in Bhadrapur Municipality. Police arrested Rajesh Karki, 40, of Barhadashi, while he was trying to flee after carrying out the explosion.

A bomb exploded at the residence of NC election candidate Himal Karki of Udayapur District Provincial Constituency No. 1 (Kha). No casualty has been reported.

Prime Minister and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba addressing an election rally organized by NC in Gauradaha of Jhapa District accused leftist alliance of plotting to foil the constitution implementation and democracy in Nepal.

November 28

Eight Policemen were injured in an explosion near the venue of a NC election rally in Dang District. The incident occurred about 500 metres south of Araniko stadium in Tulsipur, where NC President and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was addressing a rally.

An explosion took place in Morang District, targeting the election campaign of the left alliance's parliamentary candidate from Morang-6 Lalbabu Pandit.

An explosion also occurred in the house of NC's provincial candidate Himal Karki in Udayapur District. His house suffered minor damage but cattle were hurt in the explosion.

A group of unidentified persons detonated an IED on the premises of a school in Lagankhel, Lalitpur Dsitrict where CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli was attending the party's election rally.

A powerful remote controlled IED was recovered near the border security office of the Armed Police Force at Ranjitpur along the Rajbiraj-Kunauli road section in Saptari District.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in his address to an election assembly organized at Bhanu Municipality-12 in Tanahu District by the NC on November 28 said the right to determine the country's ruling system-dictatorship or democracy-is in the hand of the people, reports Republica.

November 29

Binod Chaudhary (23), a temporary Policemen injured in November 28's bomb explosion in Dang District succumbed to his injuries in course of treatment.

Four persons including NC parliamentary candidate Narayan Bahadur Karki for Udayapur Constituency No 2 were critically injured when a vehicle was ambushed in Udaypur District.

NC President and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba addressing an election campaign in Pokhara District accused the left alliance of trying to impose single party rule in the country in the name of presidential system.

MoHA Spokesperson Narayan Sharma Duwadi said "We have adopted an aggressive strategy to control election violence. We are reviewing our strategy to address lapses."

November 30

Police arrested nine cadres of Netra Bikram Chand led-CPN in Pyuthan District on the charge of conducting anti-elections activities.

Prime Minister and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba at an election campaign organized at Kathauna Bazaar of Shambhunath Municipality in Saptari District said communism will destroy democracy.

CEC Ayodhi Prasad Yadav addressing an orientation programme of micro-monitors at the EC central office in Kathmandu asked the Government and security agencies to boost security so that every voter could cast vote fearlessly.

Chief District Officer of Saptari District Bhagirath Pandey said security agencies had taken the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN as the biggest threat to security in the run-up to the second phase of provincial and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 7.

TI in a statement said that it is worried by the incidences of poll code violation by the political parties and candidates during the election campaigns for the upcoming second phase of federal parliament and provincial assembly elections slated for December 7.

December 1

IED went off near UN Park in Kupondole of Lalitpur District. No human casualty has been reported.

An IED exploded targeting a vehicle carrying CPN-UML senior leader Jhala Nath Khanal at Tinkutte in Ilam District along the Fikkal-Pashupatinagar road section. No human casualties have been reported in the explosion.

December 2

A bomb went off targeting the mass meeting addressed by CPN-Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Pakadi of Mayadevi Rural Municipality in Kapilvastu District.

An IED was exploded targeting the election candidates of left alliance at Angdim in Chathar Rural Municipality-1 of Tehrathum District. Leaders and cadres escaped the explosion unhurt.

December 3

One grenade planted in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-5 of Chitwan District went off. However, no casualties were reported in the explosion except that the window panes at the Ward Office were shattered.

CEC Ayodhi Prasad Yadav addressing media persons in Kathmandu said the EC was confident about security arrangements made by the Government and security agencies for the second phase of provincial and parliamentary elections.

NA has increased its presence in order to curb anti-poll activities. The frequency of patrols, according to NA officials, has increased of late in the 45 Districts where polling takes place on December 7.

CPN-Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal signed a three-point agreement with the victims of the infamous Bandarmude massacre in violation of the election codes of conduct in Chitwan District.

An unidentified group hurled IEDs targeting NC candidate for the federal parliament Surendra Raj Acharya at Buddhabhumi Municipality in Kapilvastu District. There were no casualties.

Conflict-era victims have complained that the two transitional justice mechanisms - TRC and CIEDP - have largely been apathetic to their plight.

December 4

An IED was hurled at the vehicle of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education Gopalman Shrestha in Bhirkot Municipality-9 in Syangja District. There were no casualties.

11 persons including former Health Minister and NC leader Gagan Thapa injured in an explosion targeting his election rally at Chapali in Kathmandu.

A provincial election candidate of FSP from Saptari constituency-4 (B) was injured in a knife attack at Balan Bihul Rural Municipality in Saptari District.

An IED placed near the house of NC Kanchanpur Constituency No. 3 parliamentary polls candidate Ramesh Lekhak exploded in Bhimdatta Municipality of Kanchanpur District.

An IED was hurled at a vehicle carrying a left alliance candidate Khagraj Bhatta in Kanchanpur District. No human casualties were reported.

An unidentified group launched an attack on a vehicle carrying a candidate from FSF-N, at Krishna Mandir in Jhapa District. The group attacked Sushil Kumar Rai, who is contesting the provincial election from Damak-5 of the District. He, however, escaped the attack and is safe.

An IED was detonated targeting a vehicle belonging to Narendra Sah, an independent candidate for the federal parliament from Sarlahi-3, in Sarlahi District. There were no casualties.

Also an IED was detonated near the house of Keshav Poudel, a Naya Shakti Party Nepal candidate, at Basagadhi Municipality-5 in Bardiya District. There were no casualties.

NHRC issued a press release saying its serious attention was drawn to the increased incidents of bomb explosion across the country.

Officials and observers said said lack of steady political leadership at the MoHA is one of the reasons behind security lapses.

December 5

Three people were injured when cadres of left alliance and FSF-N clashed in Gaushala of Mahottari District. The injured are Pramod Mahato, Manoj Singh and Bipin Singh of the left alliance.

A pressure-cooker bomb planted on the ground floor of an under-construction house of Hira Nanda Maharjan in Kirtipur Municipality-5 of Kathmandu was safely defused by a bomb disposal squad of Nepali Army.

A bomb exploded near the house belonging to Kailali Constituency No. 4 left alliance common candidate Lekhraj Bhatta in Kailali District. No human casualty and damages have been reported.

EC at a press meet said that it has made arrangements in such a way that counting of the FPTP votes will be completed in four days and that of the PR votes in eight days.

Victims of the war-era crimes expressed their dissatisfaction over the investigation carried out by the TRC, claiming that it has not followed the due process before wrapping up the probe.

December 6

Unidentified persons detonated a powerful bomb at Duwakot of Bhaktapur in Kathmandu in a bid to cut off electricity supply to various parts of Kathmandu Valley.

Nepal Army defused an IED that was found in Hetauda Sub Metropolis-8 of Makwanpur District. According to the Police, an unidentified group had planted the bomb, on the road connecting Raigai-Kamane-based Industrial corridor.

Nepal Police have taken around 1,000 persons under control for their attempt to spoil the election atmosphere. Of them, 600 were associated with Biplav-led Maoist, 13 reportedly with CK Raut group and remaining 344 belonged to some other political parties.

December 7

People in 45 Districts voted in the second and final phase of House of HoR and PA elections, with the EC putting voter turnout at 67 percent, slightly higher than the first phase polls held on November 26.

Six persons were injured as IEDs went off in two polling centres in Nawalparasi District during the second phase of elections.

Voters at three polling centres in Purano Naikap in Kathmandu were terrified in the early hours after an explosion. As a result, voter turnout was low at three polling stations in Ward 13 of Chandragiri Municipality.

Nepal Police arrested six cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoists with a large bombs, and arms and ammunition in Kathmandu, averting potentially deadly blasts.

December 8

EC stated that 70 per cent of eligible voters cast their votes in the second phase of provincial and parliamentary elections held in 45 Districts. The poll panel had stated on December 7 that voter turnout in the second phase of polls was 67 per cent and that it could rise.

December 10

EU EOM to Nepal said the November 26 and December 7 provincial and parliamentary elections demonstrated that political freedom prevailed over violent attacks during the election campaign period.

Clashes broke out during victory rallies taken out by the FSF-N and the NC in Rautahat District. In Rajpur Municipality-5, a clash erupted between the supporters of the FSF-N and the NC when the latter allegedly hurled stones at the rally participants, celebrating the victory of FSF-N candidate Raj Kishor Prasad Yadav, who was elected for a provincial assembly seat from Rautahat-2 'B'. Another clash was reported during the NC victory rally at Mansari of Isnath Municipality-8 when one of the houses caught fire when the rally participants allegedly set off firecrackers.

December 11

CPN-Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the processes for Government formation and unity between his party and the CPN-UML will move ahead simultaneously.

December 12

The election observation body comprising NOEC, GEOC and Inclusive Women Network for Peace, Justice and Democracy applauded the EC and related agencies for successful execution of Provincial and Parliamentary Elections held on November 26 and December 7 respectively.

CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal speaking in an interaction with the locals in Shankhu of Kathmandu said his party and CPN-Maoist Center would be unified soon.

December 13

CPN-UML emerged as the largest party with the end of vote counts of FPTP for federal parliament and provincial assembly. CPN-UML emerged victorious in 80 federal constituencies and 166 provincial constituencies.

December 14

One person was injured after an IED exploded in Lahan Municipality of Siraha District. Police recovered a pamphlet of JTMM-R from the incident site.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari said the election was a milestone to implement constitution.

EC stated that it would take at least three weeks after identifying voters to hold NA elections.

December 15

Ignoring objections by the left alliance, the Government announced that it is preparing to appoint Governors in seven provinces next week.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli held a meeting with President Bidhya Devi Bhandari to discuss contemporary issues.

Girish Chandra Lal-led probe commission submitted its report to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. The Government had formed the commission on September 18, 2016, to investigate into the killings and violent incidents that took place during protests in the Tarai.

December 17

Counting of PR votes concluded. CPN-UML got 3,173,494 votes, followed by NC's 3,128,389, CPN-Maoist Center's 1,303,721, RJP-N's 472,254 and FSF-N's 270,201 votes.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Shrama Oli and CPN-Maoist Center's Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a joint press conference and warned the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Government not to obstruct the formation of a new Government.

December 18

Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Yagya Bahadur Thapa speaking at an interaction in Reporters Club in Kathmandu said the Government would not quit before holding the NA elections.

CPN-Maoist Center decided that the dispute regarding the NA election should be resolved through consensus.

CPN-Maoist Center, the main alliance partner of the CPN-UML, during its secretariat meeting expressed dissatisfaction at the rigid stance of the CPN-UML against the STV system to pick members of the NA.

December 19

Government urged the President Bidya Devi Bhandari to authenticate the ordinance on NA election.

Left Alliance leaders from the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Center demanded immediate resignation of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

December 20

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari urged leaders of Left Alliance to resolve the stand-off over ordinance on the NA election through political consensus.

Leaders of the Left Alliance urged the EC to elect candidates to the HoR on PR quota at the earliest amid row over constitutional provision regarding election of the NA.

December 22

Three persons were injured when an IED went off at the land revenue office in Siraha District. The injured have been identified as Raj Kumar Paswan and Roshan Paswan.

The elected local representatives from the CPN-Maoist Center in Rukum made a big decision to validate the conflict-era land transactions carried out by the 'People's Government' during the insurgency period.

EC announced the number of seats secured by the political parties in the PA elections under PR system. Among 220 seats allocated under PR category, CPN-UML secured 75 seats, NC 72 seats, CPN-Maoist Center 35 seats. FSF-N got 13 seats, RPP 12 seats, RJP-N and Bibeksheel Sajha Party have obtained 3 seats each, Rastriya Janamorcha 2 seats while Naya Shakti Party Nepal, Federal Democratic National Forum, Nepal Federal Socialist Party, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Democratic) had to be satisfied with a single seat each.

An all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba ended inconclusively as parties stuck to their stances on the NA Election Ordinance.

CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal speaking at a press meet organized by Press Centre Chitwan at the Bharatpur Airport stressed that the NA election will not deter formation of new Government under the leftist alliance.

December 24

CPN-Maoist Center backed the STV system in the NA election. Speaking at a function in Chitwan District, CPN-Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said "If the NA election is held under single transferable voting system, there will be NC's participation as well in the National Assembly. The president should not delay endorsement of the ordinance to end the stalemate."

Chairman of FSF-N Upendra Yadav met President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and urged her to endorse the NA Election Ordinance. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Government had sent the ordinance to the President for her endorsement almost two months ago, but she has not endorsed it yet.

December 25 EC finalized allocation of HoR seats under PR electoral system. EC Spokesperson Navaraj Dhakal said it would take additional two to three days to disclose the results of parliamentary PR election.
December 26 Top leaders of the CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Center decided to expedite negotiations to resolve the current deadlock over the NA ordinance and formation of new Government.
December 27

MoPR expedited the process of amending the Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act 2014 that governs the TRC and the CIEDP.

CPN-Maoist Center is preparing to present a proposal whereby the party's unification with the CPN-UML will proceed only if the CPN-Maoist Center gets one of the two crucial posts - the Prime Minister or the Chairman of the unified party.

December 28

EC asked parties to register nomination for the NA election within 15 days. A meeting of the EC presided over by the CEC Ayodhee Prasad Yadav made the decision to this effect.

A writ petition was filed at the SC demanding that the NA Election Ordinance sent to the President be endorsed by the head of state.

Senior leaders of FSF-N and RJP-N expressed readiness to support any party in forming the government if their concerns related to the constitution are addressed.

RJP- N staked claim to form the Government in Province 2 and the party's central secretariat decided to initiate backdoor negotiations with like-minded forces to forge a coalition.

December 29

President Bidya Devi Bhandari authenticated the ordinance on election to NA. The President's Chief Personal Secretary, Bhesh Raj Adhikari, said that the President authenticated the ordinance which had been pending at the Office of the President for long due to the dispute among the political parties over it.

CEC Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said that the process to form a new Government will begin only after at least 45 days as the EC would take a minimum of a month to hold the NA polls.

December 30 RJP-N leader Laxman Lal Karna Speaking at Reporters Club in Kathmandu said the RJP-N could join the next Government if the coalition partner pledged to amend the constitution and withdraw false charges slapped against party cadres and leaders.
December 31

CEC Ayodhee Prasad Yadav speaking at a function organized in Kathmandu said that the parliamentary seats under the PR system will be allocated only after the election of the NA.

As the left alliance is courting NSP-N and FSF-N for merger, NSP-N Coordinator Baburam Bhattarai and FSF-N Chairman Upendra Yadav have said they would consider joining the alliance only if it agrees to drop the 'communist' tag and adopt 'socialist' label.

CVCP issuing a press release in the Capital, Kathmandu said that CIEDP is forwarding complaints regarding the missing persons to the TRC without carrying out investigations.


Source:Compiled from news reports and are provisional.

 

 

 

 

 
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