Nepal parties will boycott polls
Opposition political parties in Nepal say they will boycott municipal elections announced by King Gyanendra.
The king, who seized direct power in February by dismissing the elected government, had hoped the polls would restart the democratic process.
But a spokesman for the seven-party opposition alliance, Arjun Narsingh, said the elections would only prolong authoritarian rule.
He said the dissolved parliament had to be reinstated.
The king has said he seized power because politicians had failed to tackle the nation's Maoist insurgency.
He had called for municipal elections to be held across the country within a year.
The government has yet to comment on the boycott.
Source: BBC.news
On my personal opinion, if this is the only way out, the political parties should take the challenge and tackle the bull by its horn. Before aggreing to participiate they should make certain arrangements:
Provision of neutral observers from S. Asia or elsewhere.
Handle and tackle any threats of armed groups on both sides.
Plan and design strategy of common candidacy among like minded parties to avoid cutting each others vote.
Mobilize cadres and lead by constituency centered canvassing rather than bein isolated from the common mass, basking in the luxury of comfort and security, while unaware of the real ground situation.
This is just muncipal election, comparatively safer place to hold election, can't the parties get 100% seats, what do they fear:-- vote rigging or lack of public trust?