Dedicated to Daniel Pearl

Nepalese people are anxiously waiting to cast their votes on April 10. The election commission has enforced ‘cooling off’ period from Monday midnight till Thursday evening, the day when the elections will be held. During the period, political parties are not allowed to take out election-related activities–no any demonstrations and no any rallies. This election is taking place for the first time in Nepal. People will choose their representatives, who will through the assembly draft a new constitution for Nepal. Another major feature of this election that one of the oldest monarchies in Nepal will formally given a good bye after the poll. The Constituent Assembly will formalize the already-taken decision that Nepal will become the federal democratic republican country–meaning without monarchy.

I am surprised what King Gyanendra, who has earned name in notoriety, is thinking these days. He knows that he will no more exist immediately after the elections. I think he should have left the palace and thought of some alternatives towards his business. But he has remained silent and is seemingly watching all the activities. It will be an interesting day to notice king Gyanendra leaving the Narayanhiti Royal Palace after the people’s representatives ask the king to leave the palace following the Constituent Assembly meeting, which is expected to take place some three weeks after the polls.
Worse thing is that the Maoists have continued their violence across the country. One thing I have never understood that they are pleading that other political parties don’t possess competence to implement the decisions on federalism, republic and others while all political parties have already decided for federalism and republic. Maoists are now claiming that they must win the elections to implement the agreement. This is ridiculous. People across the country are now much scared of Maoists as the former rebels are intimidating them and forcing them to vote for them. They are also telling the people that they will know whether or not they will vote for the Maoists. This is against democratic principles. Voting is much secret and nobody will have the idea who voted for whom. The Maoists must police their cadres, as they are much wild and indisciplined for the free and fair elections.