After the Madheshi Morcha1 withdrew its support from the government2 on March 15, Morcha cadres intensified protests across the Tarai while demanding that the constitution be amended before local elections.3 From April 1-21, 51 incidents related to the local-elections and local-level-restructuring were reported across Nepal.

On May 11 midnight began the silence period for the first phase of local election in Nepal. 4,556,525 registered voters were called upon to elect candidates for 13,556 positions in 283 local bodies of 34 districts in province 3, 4, and 6 on May 14, 2017. According to the Election Commission voter turnout stood at 71 percent of registered voters. Despite various incidents, some involving deadly violence, both the Election Commission of Nepal and National Human Rights Commission in the evening of May 14 concluded that the first phase of election had been relatively peaceful.

This pre-election statement focuses on a few key findings identified by observers since May 1. A more comprehensive preliminary statement of observer findings will be released after the elections, and a final observation report will be released at the completion of observation.

On March 15, Madheshi Morcha withdrew support for the government and announced it would boycott and disrupt elections scheduled for May 14, 2017 unless its demands are resolved through a constitutional amendment. The Morcha then launched a protest program against the elections.

On Feb. 20, 2017 the Government of Nepal (GoN) announced that the first local elections in 20 years will be held on May 14, 2017. Citizens are eager to elect local representatives in their own communities and have met the announcement with anticipation. However, the announcement has also led to protest and violent clashes in areas of the Tarai where the constitution remains contested and there are outstanding demands that political issues be resolved before elections are held.

On Feb. 20, 2017 the Government of Nepal (GoN) announced that the first local elections in 20 years will be held on May 14, 2017. Citizens are eager to elect local representatives in their own communities and have met the announcement with anticipation. However, the announcement has also led to protest and violent clashes in areas of the Tarai where the constitution remains contested and there are outstanding demands that political issues be resolved before elections are held.