The main opposition CPN-UML has demanded that the government announce the date for local polls and create an environment for conducting them.

Addressing a Province 1 meeting in Damak of Jhapa on Friday, Chairman KP Sharma Oli accused the government of shying away from the elections by not declaring the date.

“Telling the Election Commission to prepare for the polls without specifying the date would create suspicion among the people,” UML Parliamentary Party leader Subas Nembang said. 

Stating that the bills necessary for declaring the election date were ready, he said time was running out for the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government to complete its responsibilities.

Party Secretary and head of the publicity department Yogesh Bhattarai said the authorities should make all the preparations for the elections.

The UML Politburo meeting scheduled for February 6 and 7 would also discuss the government’s latest move on elections.