...I would be wary as elections draw near

Today marked the first day of a 10-day bandh (strike) that has been imposed nation-wide in the lead-up to Election Day on November 19 and tension is increasing in the country. This election will be very important for Nepal, as it is the first election since Nepal became a republic in 2008 when the monarchy was abolished. At that time there was a Constituent Assembly elected but it was dissolved in May 2012 when it failed to make progress in drafting a new constitution. There have already been several attempts at a re-election but each time the election has been postponed. However, the Government of Nepal wants the election to occur so that the country can finally begin to move forwards, and security measures are increasing as the election approaches. Two-thirds of the Nepali army has been deployed for the election and the border to India will be sealed 2 days before voting takes place.

The bandh that is occurring right now is an attempt by an alliance of 33 parties led by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to sabotage the election shutting everything down. Today was a general strike where all transportation, markets, institutions and industries were closed throughout the country. However, the next 9 days have now been changed from a general strike to only a transportation strike, so only travel will be restricted.  

Although 51 people were arrested today for bandh-related activities, the Maoist parties successfully enforced a strict bandh today and we’ve heard stories of vehicles that ignored the bandh being torched. As well, several IEDs and other explosives have been found throughout Nepal. Most have been targeted at election candidates but as the election nears some are being found in public areas. Luckily, nearly all the bombs have been found before triggered and few people have been hurt so far, but some people are concerned that violence will heighten as the election draws nearer.

As of now, I am still going to work because I am only a five minute walk away, but many of my fellow volunteers here likely won’t be able to get to work in the next week due to the transportation bandh. This bandh is causing a huge impact on life in Nepal right now and it is still difficult to say what will happen in the next week. Some Australian volunteers in Kathmandu have been issued an evacuation plan in case the situation becomes violent but as of now there is now reason for concern.

Right now we don’t know how the election will play out but it will be an interesting next couple of weeks. It’s incredible to be here in such a pivotal moment in Nepal’s history.