国际英语新闻：Futile election in Nepal adding fuel to deadlock

KATHMANDU, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Nepali Parliament has been stuck into repeated futile elections to choose a new government leadership since July 21 after the caretaker Prime Minister resigned from his post on June 30.

On Thursday, the parliamentarians voted for the 11th time for choosing PM with confirmation of the election turning into futile.

The number of participation of the Constituent Assembly members is decreasing one election after another. Since 8th run off poll the number has decreased below 200.

The 10th and 11th run-off election was held consecutively that is on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

There were only 145 Constituent Assembly members presented in the parliament for voting on Thursday's election. Of them 104 vote for the Prime Ministerial candidate, one voted against and 40 remain neutral in the election.

As per the rule the prime ministerial candidate has to get simple majority votes -- 301 votes out of 599 lawmakers in the parliament.

Nepali political parties are struggling hard to find a way out from the current deadlock. However no consensus is met yet regarding the prominent issues of the nation.

The prominent issue of the nation that is constitution drafting, peace process, army integration among others are being side-lined due to lack of consensus forged among the political parties.

The major political parties are adamant over their stances rather than concerning over forging consensus.

The candidate of Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) Jhalanath Khanal withdrew his candidacy in the name of forging national consensus after the first run off poll.

Likewise, another candidate Unified Communist Party of Nepal ( Maoist) (UCPN-M) Chairman Prachanda withdrew his candidacy during the 8th run-off election.

UCPN-M and CPN-UML had asked Speaker Nemwang to suspend the clause on prime ministerial election to end the impasse by using his privileged power.

However, Speaker Nemwang has already made it clear the process will continue until leader Paudel withdraws his candidacy as per the parliamentary regulations.

Regardless of repeated failure of election, the election is on going just because the sole candidate has not withdrawn.

On the other hand, Poudel who is repeatedly been urged by other political parties to withdraw his candidacy has decided not to withdraw until the confirmation of the peace process and constitution.

This repeated failure has created dissatisfaction on general Nepali people. Moreover, the current crisis is deepening due to the failing election.

The 12th Prime Ministerial election run off has been scheduled for Oct.10.