The Nepal government has decided to increase the number of local units by 22 to meet the demands of the agitating Madhesi parties just ahead of the second phase of the local body polls, drawing a sharp reaction from the Opposition which described the move unconstitutional.
The Cabinet meeting yesterday decided to add 22 local units in Sunsari, Saptari, Rautahat, Parsa, Dhanusa, Sarlahi, Bara, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kavilvastu, Kailali and Banke ditricts.
The government made the decision in order to address the demands raised by agitating Madhesi parties.
Earlier, the government had created 744 local levels.
Under the decision, 24 village councils of Jhapa, Siraha, Rautahat, Dhanusa, Bara, Rupandehi, Banke, Kailali and Mahottari have been upgraded to municipalities. The government elevated Biratnagar and Birgunj as metropolitan city.
With this now there are six metropolitan cities in the country.
The main opposition party, CPN -UML, protested the government's move, saying it was in contravention of the Constitution of Nepal.
UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli questioned which Article or Clause of the Constitution was used to increase the number of local bodies.
He also recalled that other political parties had not agreed to the UML's proposal of making Biratnagar and Birgunj as metropolitan cities beforehand and blamed that the number of local level was increased in order to defeat the UML in the elections.
The government's decision to increase the number of local units by 22 in Terai region few weeks ahead of the June 14 election has also put the Election Commission (EC) in a difficult situation.
With just 10 days to go for the nomination of candidates for the second phase of polls, the government's decision has put enormous pressure on the election body as it has to print voter's list, voter identity cards and should also adjust polling centres, officials at the Election Commission said.
"Holding elections on June 14 by adjusting the added local units is extremely challenging," said Election Commissioner Ila Sharma.
The government's decision to increase the number of local levels comes in the backdrop of agitating Madhesi forces' demands to increase the number of local levels in Madhes before the second phase of local levels.
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