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.

The Kathmandu Post Democracy Resource Center Nepal (DRCN) has lauded the ongoing dialogue about local…