The Asian reporter., June 05, 2017, Page Page 4, Image 4

ASIA / PACIFIC
Page 4 n THE ASIAN REPORTER
June 5, 2017
Nepalese vote in first
local elections in 20 years
By Binaj Gurubacharya
The Associated Press
ATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepalese voted for
representatives in municipal and village councils
for the first time in two decades, a sign that the
country’s fractious democracy may be stabilizing.
Crucial local positions have been occupied by
government-appointed bureaucrats because elections
could not be held amid a 10-year-old communist
insurgency and years of delay in drafting a new
constitution.
“The mayor is more important than the prime minister
for us and the ward chairman is greater than a minister.
All of us are gathered here for democracy,” said Sagar Lal
Shrestha, a retired businessman.
The first phase of voting in half of the Himalayan nation
was mostly peaceful, although an army ordnance disposal
team safely detonated two explosive devices near the
capital of Kathmandu that were planted across from a
candidate’s house.
A small communist party known for past violence
threatened to disrupt the polls, saying the country needs
more political reform before it can be ready for such
elections.
Two years ago, lawmakers passed a new constitution to
replace the old system of monarchy, and to lay out the
rules for provincial and parliamentary polls. The
constitution was considered a major victory following
eight years of political bickering over its terms. But not
everyone was happy, and its passage sparked months of
protests by ethnic groups in the south that felt
shortchanged by how the document divided the country’s
districts.
Nearly 50,000 candidates are vying for 13,556 positions.
K
Japan’s cabinet approves bill to
allow Emperor Akihito to abdicate
Continued from page 2
The shrinking royal
family will lose another
member with the coming
marriage of Princess Mako,
one
of
Akishino’s
daughters.
When
she
marries a commoner, she
will become one herself.
Chief
government
spokesman
Yoshihide
Suga told reporters he
expected smooth passage of
the abdication bill, which
would only apply to
Akihito. Media reports
have said officials are
considering his abdication
at the end of 2018, when
Akihito turns 85 and
marks 30 years on the
throne. Suga refused to
Give blood.
To schedule a blood donation
call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE
or visit HelpSaveALife.org.
comment on timing and
other
details
of
the
legislation.
The
legislation
for
Akihito’s case was needed
because
the
Imperial
House Law does not
provide for abdication. The
last emperor to abdicate
was Kokaku in 1817.
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TORTOISE IN TROUBLE. Malaysian firefighters rescued a 132-
pound turtle that was found firmly stuck to a floodgate at a power station.
Two firefighters waded into the water and battled strong currents to free
the turtle, which was hauled to safety and released back to the ocean.
(Malaysia Fire Department via AP)
DELAYED DEMOCRACY. A Nepalese election commission officer
empties a ballot box prior to counting the votes of local elections in
Kathmandu, Nepal. Millions of Nepalese voted for representatives in
municipal and village councils for the first time in two decades, a sign
the country’s fractious democracy may be stabilizing. (AP Photo/
Niranjan Shrestha)
“We are here after 20 years and it is very important day
for all of us,” said Milan Manandhar, a homemaker.
“These are the people who are going to be resolving our
problems so we have to make sure we elect the right
people.”
The second phase of local polls in remaining parts of the
country are scheduled for later this month.
Malaysia firefighters
rescue turtle trapped
in power station
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian
firefighters rescued a 132-pound turtle found firmly stuck
to a floodgate at a power station near the Malacca Strait.
District fire chief Razif Mohamad Haris said
firefighters heeded an emergency call and found the
turtle, believed to be a hawksbill, trapped in the barrier
gate used to filter foreign objects from entering the power
station in northwestern Negeri Sembilan state.
Continued on page 5