CEPPS Quarterly Report: January 1, 2016 – March 31, 2016

The Constituent Assembly-Legislature Parliament (CA/LP) has struggled to find consensus and finalize the new constitution, leading to internal factionalism and missed deadlines. Despite the election of a more moderate national leadership, political parties remain focused on maneuvering for power rather than addressing the country's problems. To address these challenges, CEPPS/NDI works with political party partners to strengthen internal party capacity and leadership structures, promote inclusion of marginalized groups, and improve the electoral framework. The Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) plays a critical role in ensuring that legislation and regulations pertaining to the electoral process are clear and concise, and incorporate traditionally excluded groups. CEPPS/IFES supports the ECN in revising and adapting the electoral legal framework to the new constitution, implementing the ECN's new five-year strategic plan, and strengthening the capacity of ECN staff. The earthquakes on April 25 and May 12, 2015, had a significant impact on both the political situation and programmatic activities. Many program activities came to a halt as political parties and leaders engaged in relief work in the affected districts. However, the actual role that political parties play, especially at the local level, has changed over time as parties have engaged in recovery efforts and improved their local mechanisms for rescue and relief work. Post-constitution protests in the Terai and the subsequent economic blockade have taken a toll on Nepal's economy. Ongoing political disputes among the main parties in power have hindered the establishment of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) and other post-earthquake rehabilitation and rebuilding initiatives. CEPPS/NDI will assist NRA with preparations for its regular briefings and outreach to the media, victims, and general public, as well as donors and partner organizations. Nepal's political development is stymied by the lack of trust in the government and the country's fragmentation by ethnic, linguistic, caste, and geographic divides. Active participation in both national and local electoral processes is essential to strengthening a common national identity, government legitimacy, and confidence in the political process. CEPPS/NDI builds on its positive working relationships with political party partners to promote and strengthen parties' internal structures, training capacities, and inclusion of marginalized groups. The work of the CA/LP to draft a new constitution and fulfill legislative duties is slow, as party leaders and government officials remain divided in their legislative priorities and constitution-drafting agendas. To combat this, CEPPS/NDI is providing training to youth and women members of parliament to better prepare them for their roles as legislators. CEPPS/NDI also is working with MPs to draft reforms and recommendations for currently tabled bills in an effort to improve laws and increase their effectiveness. The Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) has a critical opportunity to streamline and promote principles of gender equality and citizen inclusion, advancing an electoral environment where citizens' fundamental rights and freedoms are protected. CEPPS/IFES provides technical assistance to the ECN in strengthening the democratic legal framework for elections and improving its capacity to manage the electoral process. CEPPS/IFES also will focus on building trust and collaboration between the ECN and civil society organizations through joint voter education programs. Critical assumptions underlying the program include a stable security situation, no disruption to CEPPS and partner offices due to fuel shortages, receptiveness of government ministries and offices to assistance from CEPPS, and a consistent and determined basis for eligibility to register as a voter.