With the March 5 snap parliamentary elections just over a month away, the government is considering deferring voting in some booths in northern districts because of extreme climatic conditions.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sushila Karki said that if extreme cold continues in the mountainous districts, elections in the affected areas could be held in a second phase.

“The government will provide the necessary support for the elections, especially in mountainous districts. If the weather is not favourable, we will conduct elections in a second phase,” she told reporters while attending the closing ceremony of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) training at the Nepali Army barracks in Hattikhor, eastern Nawalparasi.

She added that in areas with a low number of voters, elections will be held by transporting voters. “If a situation arises where it is absolutely impossible to hold the election, conducting it in a second phase can be considered,” she said.

But there has been no discussion about holding elections in two phases among government agencies, including the Election Commission, Home Ministry, and security agencies.

Stating that there is no plan to postpone elections for any reason, Karki urged everyone to confidently engage in the election process.

“We have made a 100 percent effort to conduct the elections peacefully. The elections will be held in a fear-free environment,” she said. Noting that the elections are being held under special circumstances, Karki stated that even if some challenges arise, the government will resolve them to ensure the elections are conducted smoothly.

A minister told the Post that by March 5, very few booths in the northern districts are expected to be affected by the cold.

“After analysing the climatic situation, we are informed that very few districts will be affected due to cold weather. Most probably, some booths of two districts—Manang and Darchula—will be affected. We have already shifted two booths from Darchula’s remote areas to the district headquarters. We are still analysing the conditions in Manang. Earlier too, due to snowfall or extreme cold, elections in a small number of booths were deferred, but by March 5, most mountain districts are expected to have fair weather as the snow melts,” said the minister.

Prime Minister Karki said the elections are being held under special circumstances and that around 30 to 32 billion rupees will be spent on them. “This election will be a milestone for maintaining stability and peace in the country.”

Prime Minister Karki also said that no one has approached her about postponing the elections and that the issue of delaying the elections has now been ruled out.

“The elections won’t be postponed. They will be held on the scheduled date.”

Officials at the Election Commission, meanwhile, say they have not considered holding elections in two phases, nor has there been any communication with the government to that effect.

Decisions regarding elections are made jointly by the government and the constitutional election management body. “We are fully prepared and committed to holding the polls in a single phase. And preparations are underway accordingly,” Ram Prasad Bhandari, acting chief election commissioner, told the Post. “There haven’t been any formal or informal discussions with the government about two-phase elections.”