The Election Commission (EC) has made it clear that it is not a prudent idea to postpone the elections time and again.

In a meeting with the leaders of ruling parties including Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (MC) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Home Minister Janardan Sharma on Thursday, the EC officials reiterated that the second phase of local level elections slated for June 28 should not be postponed yet again as the election body has completed necessary preparations.

According to EC Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma, the EC officials held discussions on election preparations, security situation, and advised the government against postponing the election date again.

Earlier, the government had decided to hold the elections, initially slated for May 14, in two phases in order to bring the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) on board the election process. Later the election date was put off twice.

The government held the meeting with EC officials even as it was holding talks with RJP-N in a last-ditch effort to bring the agitating on board the election process.

The EC office bearers said that postponing the elections now would affect the upcoming provincial and federal elections.

The ruling coalition held a meeting with the EC officials to discuss on the feasibility of holding third phase polls in some Tarai districts if the agitating Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal comes onboard.

Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav, during the meeting, said that the election process will move ahead from Friday as all poll-related preparations have been completed and the Home Ministry has also assured to provide necessary security measures for the polls.

CEC Yadav suggested the government not to postpone the elections as there was no guarantee of forging a favourable environment to hold elections even after the deferral, informed EC secretary Gopinath Mainali.