By Usman Khan

In the background of recent local election results, it is now clear that the general elections later this year will most likely produce a hung parliament, mainly because of the electoral system of Nepal. Not only the CPN-UML chair but many others also were anticipating Nepal to change towards bipolar politics after the local elections but its looks not possible now.

The country will go to the polls later this year to elect a new House of Representatives. As per the electoral system, 165 members will come through the first-past-the-post system while 110 members are elected through proportional representation.

The likelihood of any party winning majority seats 138 looks slim unless there is an amazing performance by any party. The prospects of a hung parliament are there and may raise the chances of weakening in government. There is a need to appraise the existing electoral system as it can neither give a stable government nor control corruption.

Since the refurbishment of democracy in 1990, Nepal has been motivated to attain a stable government that can govern for the full term. Till 2018, Nepal saw dozens of governments being formed and toppled in cycles, largely because none of the parties could achieve a clear majority.

The general perception is that political instability has been a nuisance to Nepal, stymying progress. When Nepali politicians were drawing up the constitution, one of the goals was also ushering in political stability. The election of members in the 275-strong House in a 60:40 ratio (165+110) probably makes it impossible to have a stable government.

In 2018, there were hopes that the new government would last for the full term as the UML and the Maoist Centre had joined hands and swept the 2017 elections. But the expectations were short-lived, as the government fell after a little over three years.

Nepal is bound to have coalition governments of two or more parties, so rather than griping about the system, politicians should develop a culture of working in the larger interest of the people and the country. The system cannot be called faulty as there is a need to develop a coalition culture.”

Nepal’s governments have fallen in a series in the last three decades with every administration’s lifecycle around nine months. These numerous changes in government not only affected the development works but also depressed foreign investors from coming into Nepal to do business.

Almost all the governments in the past have collapsed over petty biased interests due to some politician’s whims and lust for power. In the recent past, the Maoist Centre has been the reason of the collapse of governments by the feature of its position as the third-largest party.

The Maoist Centre has managed to retain its third position because of its alliance with the Congress and other ruling parties, but it’s not clear yet whether the alliance will endure during the general elections also. No matter what, its haggling power has amplified and it will get ample chance to side either with the Congress or the UML whichever way suits it and its chair for that matter.

Over the last one and a half decades since the peace deal, the UML chair has earned notoriety as an unstable leader for his duplicity. A Maoist Centre leader said that “politics is all about benefits” and his party has become the kingmaker and gained more bargaining power. The third party in Parliament can always make or break governments.

For a stable government which is the goal then the country should either go for a fully-proportional representation system or a directly elected executive head either the president or the prime minister? However, the existing electoral system needs to be changed if the parties want a stable government and an end to corruption.

For at least 15 years, Nepali parties should adopt a fully-proportional election system with a minimum 5 percent threshold, an increase of two percent from the existing threshold. As the candidates should be elected by the lowest local level committees of the parties concerned and there must be a provision of ‘No Vote’ to reject corrupt candidates or politicians’ kin.”

The slight changes in the electoral system won’t be sufficient to ensure a stable government and the prosperity desired by the country. The parties should think of a drastic change in the electoral system, he suggests.

Currently, the political Parties of Nepal only think of their immediate benefits and not of the country. Therefore, they cannot step out of their comfort zones. Most of the problems and corruption would end only if the parties could ensure no lawmaker becomes a minister. If that happened, experts from relevant fields could run the respective ministries.”

The framers of Nepal’s constitution had excessively focused on finding ways to ensure a stable government. The provision that a majority prime minister cannot dissolve the House was written with the sole goal of ensuring stability. However, the CPN-UML chair did not give two hoots to the constitutional provision and dissolved the Parliament twice. His second move to dissolve the Parliament led to the fall of his government when the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional and upheld the claim of the opposition leader to the prime minister’s post.

After the promulgation of the new constitution a very good statute. It was up to the parties to implement it. As the constitution was drafted after lots of discussions. It was up to the parties to make use of it. The constitution is a living document. However, if some amendments are necessary, that should be done.

During the constitution drafting process, the Maoist Centre was for a directly elected presidential system but the UML and the Congress rejected the idea and adopted the existing mixed electoral system—electing 60 percent representatives through direct elections and 40 percent on the basis of proportional representation.

The electoral system of Nepal needs a mature coalition culture that is not visible. It is also the fact that the coalition is merely based on certain interests. The problem is that Nepal's political leadership across the country couldn’t develop the kind of mentality suitable for a federal republic. That’s why the existing Coalition culture electoral system demands are not successful.

As it is evident from the past that the first-past-the-post system, which was practiced until 1998, also could not give stable governments. It’s time to thought to review the electoral system of Nepal to ensure political stability in Nepal.

BRUSSELS, 30 May 2022, (TON): European Union leaders will meet today to declare continued support for Ukraine to help it fend off Russia’s assault, but the talks will be overshadowed by their failure to agree on a new sanctions package against Moscow.

Over two days, leaders of the 27-nation bloc are to discuss how best to aid Ukraine four months into Russia’s invasion and how to deal with the conflict’s impacts, high energy prices, an impending food shortage and the EU’s defense needs.

But draft conclusions of the meeting, seen by Reuters, showed that while the EU will be generous with verbal support for the government in Kyiv, there will be little in terms of new decisions on any of the main topics.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said “after Russia’s attack on Ukraine, we saw what can happen when Europe stands united. With a view to the summit tomorrow, let’s hope it continues like this. But it is already starting to crumble and crumble again."

BENI, 30 May 2022, (TON): The army and Red Cross said “at least 27 civilians were killed by members of a notorious rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.”

The Kivu Security Tracker, which monitors violence in the region via a team of experts on the ground, posted on Twitter to say that at least 27 civilians had been killed in the attack.

Army spokesman Anthony Mualushayi told media “we heard bullets at dawn in the village of Beu Manyama.”

“When we arrived, it was already too late because the enemy ADF had already killed more than a dozen of our fellow citizens with machetes.”

Mualushayi said “described by the so-called Islamic State as its local affiliate, the rebel Allied Democratic Forces have been accused of killing thousands of civilians in DRC’s troubled east. After the attack early Saturday, in the Beni region in North Kivu province, soldiers pursued the attackers.”

LONDON, 30 May 2022, (TON): The UK has announced its commitment to helping Qatar deliver a safe and secure FIFA World Cup 2022.

The announcement coincides with this week’s visit by the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani to the UK, where he met with the Prime Minister.

The Ministry of Defence will support Qatar with military capabilities to counter terrorism and other threats to the tournament.

This will include maritime security support from the Royal Navy, advanced venue search training, operational planning and command and control support, and further specialist advice.

The Joint Typhoon Squ-adron, also known as 12 Squadron, is based at RAF Coningsby and is operated by RAF and QEAF personnel. During the deployment they will support counter-terrorism efforts through air security operations.

BEIJING, 30 May 2022, (TON): Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with leaders and top officials from ten Pacific Island states, part of a regional diplomatic blitz that has stirred deep Western concern.

The virtual summit is expected to discuss leaked proposals for China to radically increase its involvement in the security, economy and politics of the South Pacific.

Wang is in the Fijian capital Suva, where he will co-host a virtual meeting with regional foreign ministers many of whom are also leaders of the small island states.

On the table is a secret deal, obtained by media that would see China train local police, become involved in cybersecurity, expand political ties, conduct sensitive marine mapping and gain greater access to natural resources on land and in the water.

As an enticement, Beijing is offering millions of dollars in financial assistance, the prospect of a China-Pacific Islands free trade agreement and access to China’s vast market of 1.4 billion people.

CAIRO, 30 May 2022, (TON): Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his US counterpart Antony Blinken have discussed bilateral cooperation between Cairo and Washington.

Ambassador Ahmed Hafez, spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, said “Shoukry, during a phone call he received from Blinken, urged further coordination and strengthened ties between Egypt and the US.”

He added “the two sides discussed the most important developments on the international and regional arenas, as well as the repercussions of the ongoing international crises, and their impact on the economic and living conditions in the countries of the world.”

“The two sides stressed the need for joint action to limit the consequences of the ongoing crises. It was also agreed to continue coordination and consultation during the next stage on all issues of interest to Egypt and the US.”

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said “Blinken thanked the Egyptian government for its decision to allow the resumption of flights between Sanaa, Yemen, and Cairo.”

MOSCOW, 30 May 2022, (TON): As the war in Ukraine rages, Serbia’s president announced “he has secured an extremely favorable natural gas deal with Russia during a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.”

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has refused to explicitly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Serbia has not joined Western sanctions against Moscow.

Vucic, a former pro-Russian ultranationalist, claims that he wants to take Serbia into the European Union but has spent recent years cementing ties with Russia, a long-time ally.

Serbia is almost entirely dependent on Russian gas and its main energy companies are under Russian majority ownership.

Vucic told reporters “what I can tell you is that we have agreed on the main elements that are very favorable for Serbia.”

“We agreed to sign a three-year contract, which is the first element of the contract that suits the Serbian side very well.”

JERUSALEM, 30 May 2022, (TON): Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Sunday Iran would not go unpunished for instigating attacks through its proxies, speaking a week after the assassination in Tehran of a Revolutionary Guards colonel that has been blamed on Israel.

Hassan Sayad Khodai, accused by Israel of plotting attacks against its citizens worldwide, was shot dead at the wheel of his car by two people on a motorcycle.

The tactic echoed previous killings in Iran that focused on nuclear scientists and were widely pinned on Mossad.

Iran’s semi-official news agency said “members of an Israeli intelligence service network had been discovered and arrested by the Guards immediately after the Tehran shooting.”

Bennett’s office, which oversees intelligence agency Mossad, has declined to comment on the assassination.

RIYADH, 30 May 2022, (TON): Saudi Press Agency reported “Saudi Arabia’s King Salman congratulated the UK’s Queen Elizabeth on her 70-year reign.”

In a cable, the king wished Queen Elizabeth constant health and happiness and the people of the United Kingdom further progress and prosperity.

Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman also sent a similar cable.

Queen Elizabeth, 96, marked seven decades as queen in February, and nationwide events to commemorate her Platinum Jubilee, including a thanksgiving service and a music concert outside Buckingham Palace, will take place from June 2 to 5.

Elizabeth became the queen of the United Kingdom and more than a dozen other realms including Canada, Australia and New Zealand on the death of her father King George VI on Feb. 6, 1952, while she was in Kenya on an international tour.

DUBAI, 30 May 2022, (TON): Emirates News Agency reported that the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan officially signed the ‘Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Growth’ in Abu Dhabi.”

The UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan witnessed the signing of the partnership which marks a new era of opportunities to enhance economic growth across five key sectors.

The launch was also attended by Egypt and Jordan’s Prime Ministers Mostafa Madbouly and Bisher al-Khasawneh.

The agreement was signed by the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed al-Jaber, Egyptian Minister of Industry and Trade Dr. Nevein Gamea, and Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yousef al-Shamali.

WAM quoted Sheikh Mansour as saying “Industry is the backbone of the world’s largest economies.”