Daily Politics Test

February 29, 2008

Daily Political Update

Election Countdown – 40 days

Victory rallies were held in most Terai districts last evening. More events were organized today to celebrate the agreement in the Terai districts, including Banke.

The most senior leader of Madhesh movement organized by UMDF, Mahanth Thakur, said that the agreement was the first step.

The UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) also said that under today's eight-point deal, quotas for party lists will be relaxed, which will allow for an increase in Madhesi candidates in many lists for seats to be elected through proportional representation.

EC has set new dates to register the candidates, March 2 for submitting closed list of proportional representatives and March 4 for direct elections. So far 39 parties have filed candidacies under PR and 33 under direct elections. This number will rise Madhesi parties' participation.

Talks with Federal Republican National Front (FRNF) continue. Indefinite bandhs remain in eastern hilly districts. There are reports that the talks will be concluded today.

Also, Tharu groups protested in Lahan today against the agreement.

Meanwhile, in rest of the world…

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra, along with a couple of footballers from the Manchester city football club (which he owns), has returned to Bangkok after 17 months in exile. The man who ran the Thai Rak Thai party was ousted by the military in 2006 with support from the Thai king.

Today is February 29 - a leap year, which raises some  interesting questions.