Democracy For Nepal

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Dissolve Parliament Only Two Months Before Constituent Assembly Elections

Prachanda wants the parliament and the constitution dissolved, and an interim government and an interim constitution set up. I can understand why. The Maoists have no representation in this parliament and no stake in this constitution. And I myself have espoused the cause of an interim constitution and an interim government a long time. (Interim Constitution, Revolutionary Parliament) But that was when the king was saying he did not have the option to revive the 1999 House, and he was right. There were no legal, constitutional provisions to that effect.

But that was then. Now is now. Now the parliament has been revived through a political decision.

The primary goal of this parliament is elections to a constituent assembly. The sooner we get there, the better. It will likely have to happen after monsoon, but there is no reason why it can not happen before Dashain.

According to the 12 point agreement, the two armies are to be put under international supervision and then the country goes to a constituent assembly. I don't see this arrangement as problematic, although this is not my personal first choice. (Dismantle The Two Armies) Besides, it is in the 12 point understanding. We already agreed to it.

But before the seven party alliance can order the state army into UN supervision, it will have to bring it firmly under the parliament first. That has the added advantage of the seven party alliance ending up with an army. That can be an element of strength against any possible attempts at regression from people who just lost power, and also against any possible Maoist misadventures, not that I see any in the works.

We have agreed that the two armies will be placed under UN supervision - and this will be a first in world history, and might as well - and then, after the elections, going by the election results, we will bring the two armies together. Now, this part is not that clear. And this is where we have to drive a hard bargain.

Even if Nepal is to still have an army, it can not be too large, and it has to be representative of all ethnic groups and more in the country. The Maoists have done an amazing job in terms of what proportion of their fighters are women. That proportion has to be retained or enhanced in the unified army. The unified army should have at least 30% Madhesi representation, for example. Many of the top brass in the state army will be gone. The hiring, firing and promotion structures will have to become meritocratic: they will have to be fundamentally redesigned.

I don't think the Maoists do not want to disarm now because they still secretly want a communist republic, and they are simply waiting to pounce on the seven party alliance. I think they want a democratic republic, and in that republic they want an army that is truly representative of the people. Sad to note the Maoists are one step ahead of the seven parties on this topic as well.

The longer the parliament stays on, more will be the money the seven party MPs will make through their salaries, and they will have some extra cash during the elections. I can understand why that is to the Maoists' disadvantage.

But I think the parliament should only be dissolved two months before the election date. This is to limit possibilities of regression. And this is also to keep the pressure on the Maoists during the peace talks. The sooner the talks can take place and conclude, sooner the election dates are announced, sooner the parliament can be dissolved.

The Maoists surely will be part of the interim government that will hold the elections. But that interim government only takes shape after the peace talks have concluded.

So, step one, bring the army firmly under the parliament. Step two, hold peace talks and conclude them fast. I think this phase should be as smooth as the constituent assembly elections topic. Because you already have agreement on the end results, the talks themselves should be smooth and quick.

All seven parties are going to have to take a stand on the army, just like all seven of them are going to have to take a clear stand on the monarchy before they go into the elections to the constituent assembly. How big will be the army? What will its composition be in terms of ethnicity and gender? How will you handle the two armies after the elections? How will you downsize? How will you rightsize to ensure fair representation?

I think the combined army should be 30,000 strong max. More than that would be a waste. And if 30% of them are women, and another 30% Madhesi, you are looking at 12,000 slots for the Pahadi men who have traditionally hogged all the space. Tens of thousands of currently gun toting Pahadi men will have to be sent into the private sector of the economy.

And there is no reason why the constituent assembly should need more than six months to give the country a new constitution. To hold parliamentary elections under a new constitution by next April should be our goal. That is not too ambitious at all. We will likely hold parliamentary and presidential elections all at once. And then local elections within six months of that.

Audio: Interview With Prachanda
Gagan Thapa, Hari Roka, Ram Kumari Jhankri, Rajendra Rai, Krishna Pahadi

In The News

Govt. scraps three ordinances NepalNews
Maoists pledge to return seized properties of political activists; demand release of detained cadres
Maoist inmates start hunger strike
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Participation in government against party’s policy: PFN lawmaker
SC committed towards fulfilling people’s aspirations towards justice: CJ Poudel
Hope is Not a Method

UN envoy offers support to Nepal peace process Reuters AlertNet, UK
Nepal Maoists abduct three despite ceasefire Hindustan Times, India
Agriculture contributes 38 pct to GDP of Nepal: Minister People's Daily Online, China
Nepal Govt to name team for talks with Maoists within one week Zee News, India
Maoists want power pie in Nepal CNN-IBN
DANGER OF COUNTER-REVOLUTION Calcutta Telegraph

ADB urged to start fresh investigation, review of Melamchi project Kantipur Publications
Maoists appeal for release of prisoners
CJ to review Ojha's appointment
EU committed to enhance assistance
विद्यार्थीले राजारानीको तस्बिर फुटाए
संविधानसभाको तिथि तोक’
दमनकारीको कालोसूची सार्वजनिक
संविधानसभामा ढिलाइ नगर्न आग्रह
राजदूतहरूको नियुक्ति

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One Central Committee Member For Every Million Nepali

1
Baitadi (234,418), Darchula (121,996), Bajhang (167,026), Bajura (108,781), Humla (40,595), Mugu (43,937), Jumla (89,427), Kalikot (105,580), Dolpa (29,545)
Total: 941,305

2
Dadeldhura (126,162), Doti (207,066), Achham (231,285), Dailekh (225,201), Surkhet (288,527)
Total: 1078,241

3
Kanchanpur (377,899), Kailali (616,697)
Total: 994,596

4
Jajarkot (134,868), Rukum (188,438), Salyan (213,500), Rolpa (210,004), Pyuthan (212,484)
Total: 959,294

5
Bardia (382,649), Banke (385,840), Dang (462,380)
Total: 1230,869

6
Mustang (14,981), Myagdi (114,447), Baglung (268,937), Parbat (157,826), Kaski (380,527), Manang (9,587), Lamjung (177,149)
Total: 1123,454

7
Gorkha (288,134), Tanahu (315,237), Syangja (317,320)
Total: 920691

8
Gulmi (296,654), Arghakhanchi (208,391), Kapilbastu (481,976)
Total: 987,021

9
Rupandehi (708,419), Palpa (268,558)
Total: 976977

10
Nawalparasi (562,870), Chitwan (472,048)
Total: 1034,918

11
Dhading (338,658), Rasuwa (44,731), Nuwakot (288,478), Sindhupalchok (305,857)
Total: 977,724

12
Kavrepalanchok (385,672), Lalitpur (337,785), Bhaktapur (225,461)
Total: 948918

13
Kathmandu (1,081,845)
Total: 1,081,845

14
Dolakha (204,229), Ramechhap (212,408), Solukhumbu (107,686), Okhaldhunga (156,702), Sindhuli (279,821)
Total: 960,846

15
Makwanpur (392,604), Rautahat (545,132)
Total: 937,736

16
Bara (559,135), Parsa (497,219)
Total: 1056,354

17
Sarlahi (635,701), Mahottari (553,481)
Total: 1189182

18
Dhanusha (671,364), Siraha (572,399)
Total: 1243763

19
Sankhuwasabha (159,203), Taplejung (134,698), Khotang (231,385), Bhojpur (203,018), Terhathum (113,111), Udaypur (287,689)
Total: 1129,104

20
Panchthar (202,056), Illam (282,806), Jhapa (688,109)
Total: 1172,971

21
Morang (843,220), Dhankuta (166,479)
Total: 1009,699

22
Sunsari (625,633), Saptari (570,282)
Total: 1195,915

Map
Numbers

Plus Five Officers.
President, Vice President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer.
The 22 central committee members must be district chiefs. They will likely emerge as the consensus choice among the chiefs in the pool of districts. If not, they will vote among themselves. If that does not work, the party president will pick.

This is for the interim period until the convention is held, which will be before the constituent assembly elections. For the interim period, the party president picks the other four Officers.

So the key is to set up a district committee in each of the 75 districts. And then work on establishing committees in all the towns and villages.

Pool 1 will be an exception and will send two members to the central committee. And there will be a representative each from the four groups in addition: Dalit, Madhesi, Janajati, Mahila, to be nominated by the president for the interim period. And a Muslim, and a Newar.

For a total of 22 + 5 + 1 + 4 + 2 = 34.

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Proposed Republican Constitution 2006
Janata Dal Constitution

All deliberations and expenses are to be posted online. From the village/town, to the district to the central level. Sources of funds are not to be disclosed.

Goals:

Democratic Republic.
Double digit economic growth.
A cutting edge total, transparent democracy where parties are not allowed to raise funds, instead they get state funds in direct proportion to the number of votes they earn.

In The News

Leaders call for adoption of special declaration to make the parliament supreme NepalNews
RJP expresses dissatisfaction over political decisions
Security chiefs skip function at Home Ministry
Battle for free press is only half-won: SAFMA reps
ANNISU-R accuses government of delaying to form interim government - 5th news
Govt transfers top civil servants

Military experts warn of coup if RNA is not nationalized Kantipur Publications
Police chiefs skip secy’s installation
Chief executive can be summoned: Rayamajhi
Maoists continue abductions
MPs draw govt attention to bring Army under House
धर्म निरपेक्ष राज्य घोषणा गर्न माग
सेना संसद्मातहत नल्याएकामा आक्रोश
संविधानसभामा ढिलाइ नगर्न आग्रह
राजदूतहरूको नियुक्ति
संसद्को सर्वाेच्चता
सेनाको रूपान्तरण र विकास
आदिवासीको संघात्मक गणतन्त्र

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8 May