Addressing a party function in the capital on Friday, Bhandari stressed on the delineation of constituencies on the basis of population as per the clause of Article 63 (3) of the interim constitution. [break]
“To lower the representation of Madhesis by decreasing the number of their constituencies is a ploy to further sideline them,” said Bhandari, adding, “Madhes should get a minimum of 51 percent representation out of the total constituencies as Madhes makes up more than half of the national population.”
He stressed that CA polls must be held on the scheduled date of November 19. “If the November polls get derailed, the country has to suffer a massive instability.” He clarified that his party was not against the polls. “I am sure that the Regmi-led government would fulfill the demands pressed by our eight- party alliance, the Federal Democratic Front (FDF),” he said adding that the government should hold the election by taking all parties into confidence.
“We are preparing for the elections and protest simultaneously,” said spokesperson for the party Izhar Mikrani, adding that his party was taking an initiative to guarantee a proper representation of marginalized communities in the elections.
The party’s central committee (CC) member Rekha Yadav stressed on the need of a ‘meaningful representation’ of women in the polls. “The political parties should guarantee at least 50 percent representation of women while filing candidacies for the polls,” she said claiming that her party has ensured 33 percent representation of women in its CC.
“Without women’s sizable participation, neither a country nor a political party can achieve meaningful achievements,” she further added.
On a different note, CC member Keshav Jha claimed that more than 5.2 million voters, who have citizenship certificates are yet to be registered as voters. “The Election Commission should give one more month for voter registration,” said Jha. She emphasized that the nation’s entire citizens should get to register their names in the electoral roll.
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