Bill on Political Parties presented; parties to be barred from organising bandh

If the bill on Political Parties presented at the interim parliament is passed without changes, it will now be illegal for political parties to announce bandh.

The bill proposes that parties avoid organising any programs like bandh that can affect country's economy or traffic blockades that affect people's lives. Likewise, according to Nepal Samacharpatra daily, the bill proposes against wall-painting, pasting and graffiti-writing by parties on private properties without owners' consent. They are also asked not to vandalise public or private properties when organising their programs. All these activities have been deemed illegal.

The bill also prohibits the parties from enlisting corrupt persons, black-listed defaulters and those declared bankrupt by the court, as their members. It asks parties to make their executive committees inclusive and properly keep asset lists of their office-bearers.

The bill also proposes that the state provide grants to the parties based on the votes they garner. Parties that garner at least one percent of votes in the national elections will be granted with proportional amount of resources. It has also made provisions regarding the donations or financing of the parties by national or international government, organisations or individuals.

As per the provision in the interim constitution, the bill makes it mandatory for parties to submit signatures of 10,000 people if they want to be registered at the Election Commission (EC). This provision, however, will not be applicable to the parties that are represented in the current parliament.

The parties will have to audit their financial transactions and present the report to the EC within six months of the completion of a fiscal year. The EC can impose fines on the parties who do not abide by this provision.

The bill will come into force after the parliament approves it and enacts it. nepalnews.com sd Feb 28 07