This political update explores the reasons behind the failure of some cooperatives to meet their financial obligations and will explore the potential consequences of the agreement on the cooperative landscape.

There was a significant increase in the number of political incidents between February 8 and March 22, 2018. 73 political incidents were recorded during this period compared to 32 during the previous reporting period between January 8 and February 7, 2018. The increase in incidents during this period can be attributed to the increased activities of unidentified groups and the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN).

There were 47 political incidents recorded between December 8 and January 7, 2017, the one-month period after the completion of the second phase of parliamentary and provincial elections. Of all the incidents recorded during this period, 20 were related to the parliamentary and provincial elections.

There were eleven election-related incidents recorded during the campaign period for the September 18 third phase of local elections that ran from September 6 to 15. This was the lowest number of incidents recorded during all three phases of elections, with 56 incidents recorded during the first phase campaign period, and 89 incidents recorded during the second phase campaign period.

There was a small increase in the number of election-related incidents during this reporting period. This increase can be attributed to parties beginning preparations for the third phase of local elections that are scheduled for September 18. Seven election-related incidents were recorded between August 3 and September 5.

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.