Nepal PM poll flops for fifth time, next election on Sept. 5

KATHMANDU - The fifth round of the prime ministerial election failed to deliver a result Monday, as both Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda and Nepali Congress Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel could not garner sufficient votes to establish their right to occupy the coveted office.

Voting could not produce results as the CPN (UML) and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) stuck to their decision to stay ‘neutral’.

Prachanda secured 246 votes in his favour, while 111 votes were cast against him. Some 206 lawmakers opted for ‘no vote’ section in the ballot paper. Altogether 563 lawmakers participated during the voting.

Similarly, Poudel got 124 votes while 243 voted were cast against him and 200 lawmakers remained neutral. 567 lawmakers cast their votes when Poudel’s name was put to vote.

Meanwhile, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the legislature parliament has decided to conduct the next round of election on September 5.

The previous four elections held on August 6, July 21, July 23 and August 2 had failed to elect a prime minister.

Kantipur quoted Poudel as, saying that the new agreement is impossible unless the Maoists implement outstanding issues related to the peace process.

UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal underscored the need for a national consensus among the major political forces before the next round of voting.

“We can’t draft a new Constitution unless there is a national consensus government,” he said.

“Electing a majority government will be tantamount to dissolving the Constituent Assembly,” he added.

According to existing parliamentary regulations the election for the post of Prime Minister at the legislature parliament keeps on repeating until a prime minister is elected. (ANI)