Lawmakers have proposed holding the elections of local bodies—Village and Municipal Councils—before their terms expire.

Deliberating on the Bill on Local Election Procedure at the State Affairs Committee of Parliament, lawmakers said the measure would guarantee uninterrupted presence of elected representatives at the local bodies.

The local bodies have been without elected representatives since their dissolution in 2002. The absence of people’s representatives has been blamed for gross irregularities and corruption at the local level with reduced public accountability. The local polls were held last in 1997.

Lawmakers agree that continued presence of elected representatives at the local bodies should be ensured, said Ananda Prasad Dhungana, coordinator of the SAC sub-panel.

Lawmakers are considering the provision of holding new elections two months prior to the expiry of their mandate. The new leadership would take charge within a week of the incumbent officer bearers’ retirement.

CPN-UML lawmaker Rameshwor Phuyal had tabled the amendment proposal demanding a provision that the next local elections are held between mid-November and Mid-December in the fifth year of election.

“I tabled the amendment proposal considering that fixing the exact date of elections ensures continued presence of elected representatives,” said Phuyal. “But I am open to the idea of holding elections prior to the expiry of the officer bearers’ term.”