Nepal: Tensions rise ahead of local elections May 14 and June 14 /update 1

Event

A clash between Nepalese politicians and the chief justice of the Supreme Court has increased tensions ahead of the upcoming local elections scheduled for May 14 and June 14. The dispute centers around a decision by Chief Justice Sushila Karki to overturn the government's appointment for the position of national police chief. That decision led Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi, a top official in charge of overseeing election security, to resign his post on Sunday, April 30. Nidhi's resignation could also increase instability in the majority coalition: two of the main parties filed a motion for impeachment against Karki on April 30, which some have considered an attack on the independence of the judiciary; as a result, the Rastriya Prajantatra Party (RPP), which is the group's third-largest party, is reportedly considering leaving the seven-party coalition if the impeachment motion is not withdrawn.

Protests and counter-protests related to the upcoming elections, which have been ongoing for several weeks, are likely to escalate in the run-up to election day on May 14.

Context

Local government elections, to elect 744 representatives, are scheduled to be held in Nepal in two phases on May 14 and June 14. The first round of elections will be held in provinces of numbers 3, 4 and 6 and second round of elections in provinces of numbers 1, 2, 5 and 7 on May 14 and June 14, respectively. It is mandatory for Nepal to hold three-tier elections - local, provincial, center, by January 2018 year under the new constitutional provisions.

The elections are the first in the country since 1997 and have proven controversial. Election officials decided to hold them in two phases after the disgruntled Madhes-based ethnic parties recently agreed to participate in the local body elections. The Madhesi political party, Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), organized a month-long protest program in response to the government's original announcement of the voting on February 21. Tensions remain high in the country, particularly in the Terai region where there are ongoing protests, general strikes and mass meetings.

Advice

Individuals present in Nepal ahead of and during the elections are advised to remain vigilant, monitor local media, and avoid all political gatherings; violence may flare up without warning. Follow all instructions as issued by authorities.