November CA polls suspended; govt asks EC to postpone entire election programmes

The seven political parties Friday morning have decided to postpone the Constituent Assembly (CA) polls slated for November 22.

A meeting of the seven parties held at Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's residence at Baluwatar took the decision to this effect.

However CPN-UML, People's Front and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party have written down note of dissent on the agreement to suspend the November polls.

The parties have agreed to announce new date for CA polls after further consultations among themselves.

Following the decision from the seven parties, the government has also written to the Election Commission (EC) to postpone all the election programmes.

The government faxed a request letter to EC to put on hold all election programmes, including today’s nominations and November 22 CA polls.

The parties have also decided to call special session of the interim parliament as demanded by the Maoists.
The CA poll was suspended after the parties failed to break the deadlock that emerged after Maoists stuck with their demands for changing the electoral system for the November polls.

Earlier yesterday, the leaders had agreed to put on hold the election schedule till the special House session after no consensus was reached on Maoists two key demands on republic and electoral system.

This is the second time the parties have postponed the polls.