Four major parties Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN (M)), Madhesi Morcha, Nepali Congress (NC) and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist, UML) informally postponed elections to new Constituent Assembly planned for June to November. Breakaway Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) rejected call for talks with High Level Political Committee (HLPC) comprising 4 major parties that oversees Interim Election Council of Ministers. CPN-M 7 April enforced nationwide strike demanding govt’s resignation. Federal Democratic Forum, alliance of Madhesi parties outside Morcha and fringe janajati parties 21 April presented 13-point demands to govt; demanded HLPC disbandment, Interim Election Council Chairman Khil Raj Regmi’s resignation as chief justice. Madhesi and janajati parties opposed proposed threshold of 1% of total votes for parties to win proportional representation seats as too high. Integration of ex-Maoist combatants into Nepal Army officially completed 12 April.

Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Madhesi Morcha, Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) 13 March agreed on election deal. Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi appointed Chairman of Interim Election Council of Ministers, composed of former bureaucrats and overseen by political committee of 4 major parties. June election date expected but govt has until 15 Dec to conduct polls. Deal also resolved dispute over ranks of former Maoist combatants now in Nepal Army, suspended controversial general amnesty clause in Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill. Breakaway Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) and 18 smaller parties 14 March enforced nationwide strike opposing interim election govt. CPN-M obstructed voter registration, threatened poll boycott. Some Madhesi parties, ethnic indigenous groups opposed reduction of proportional representation seats, demanded fresh delineation of constituencies. Some rights groups said Regmi must step down as chief justice.

Ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN(M)), Madhesi Morcha, opposition Nepali Congress (NC) and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (UML) 16 Feb agreed proposal allowing govt led by Supreme Court Chief Justice (CJ) Khil Raj Regmi to hold elections for new Constituent Assembly 5 June; Regmi agreed 25 Feb. Supreme Court 25 Feb referred proposal to special bench; hearing scheduled for 7 March. Sections of NC, UML, Nepal Bar Association opposed proposal citing violation  of separation of powers, weakening of judiciary; Madhesi and ethnic groups also objected citing lack of consultation. Breakaway Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) 19 Feb enforced nationwide strike against CJ-led govt proposal, threatened poll boycott. UCPN(M) held national congress 2-8 Feb, formalised doctrinal shift to unarmed parliamentary politics. IEDs reportedly planted by new CPN-Maoist (Revolutionary) in 4 districts defused 26 Feb.

Deadlock between parties persisted; some anti-govt protests during month. President Ram Baran Yadav 15 Jan stopped setting deadlines for parties on consensus PM candidate. With no elected legislature to appoint replacements, Supreme Court down to 6 judges after another judge’s term expired 21 Jan; last 2 election commissioners retired 10 Jan. Breakaway Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist held national congress 9-15 Jan; agreed on urban-centric “people’s revolt” instead of “people’s war”. 9 Maoist cadres charged 28 Jan for 2004 kidnapping and murder of journalist Dekendra Thapa in Dailekh district. Supreme Court 18 Jan charged PM Bhattarai and Attorney General Mukti Pradhan with contempt for obstructing investigation, PM denied responsibility. 50 injured in Maoist-opposition clashes during PM’s visit to Dailekh. Col. Kumar Lama 3 Jan arrested in UK on charges of wartime torture; Nepal govt protested, demanded release; UK court denied bail. Proposed Truth and Reconciliation Bill remains controversial.

Following pressure from major parties, President Yadav 24 Dec extended for 6th time deadline for parties to agree on PM candidate to lead national unity govt, but still no consensus. Opposition Nepali Congress (NC) 5 Dec announced party President Sushil Koirala as PM candidate. PM Bhattarai called for opposition to join current govt before NC-led govt can be formed. Federal Democratic Republican Alliance led by ruling Maoist-Madhesi coalition 25 Dec proposed reinstating collapsed Constituent Assembly to promulgate new constitution or make legal and constitutional amendments necessary for elections. Election Commission 24 Dec claimed it needs at least 120 days for electoral preparations.

President Yadav 23 Nov called on parties to agree on PM candidate to lead national unity govt by 29 Nov; decision welcomed by opposition Nepali Congress (NC), Communist Party of Nepal-UML (CPN-UML), but deemed “unconstitutional” by cabinet and ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN(M)). Following request by major parties, President Yadav 29 Nov extended deadline by a week. Govt rescheduled elections set for 22 Nov to Apr-May 2013. Two-thirds budget for remainder of fiscal year approved 20 Nov by President Yadav despite lack of consensus, drawing criticism from opposition. Supreme Court 21 Nov demanded written explanation from President Yadav for delay in approving govt ordinances on education, health, civil service and transitional justice. Former UML ethnic janajati leaders 22 Nov formed Federal Socialist Party Nepal to advocate for identity-based federalism. Former Maoist combatants 21 Nov formally joined Nepal Army. Cross-party special committee for integration and rehabilitation 21 Nov recommended govt form 4,171-strong non-combat general directorate for ex-combatants.

Parties missed 16 Oct deadline to settle political impasse through consensus, committed to new mid-Nov deadline. Most major parties now favour election of new Constituent Assembly (CA); President Yadav 28 Oct also encouraged elections. Parties still disagree on composition of govt; opposition parties insist PM Baburam Bhattarai step down. 36 indigenous leaders who quit Nepali Congress (NC) and over 500 ethnic leaders who quit Communist Party of Nepal-UML (CPN-UML) discussing forming new party. 7 Madhesi, indigenous parties 1 Oct formed Federal Democratic Forum-Nepal to promote Madhesi and indigenous issues. OHCHR 8 Oct published report on alleged human rights violations during civil war, released Transitional Justice Reference Archive on conflict-related incidents; govt dismissed report as “irrelevant”. Supreme Court asked govt to explain decision to promote Col Raju Basnet to Brigadier General after allegations of his involvement in torture, forced disappearance of Maoists during civil war.

Ruling coalition members – Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN(M)), United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) – and main opposition Nepali Congress (NC), Communist Party of Nepal UML 19 Sept agreed to hold elections for new body to draft constitution. For earlier spring 2013 election date, parties must agree by Nov on composition of govt that will hold elections, whether polls will be for new constituent assembly or parliament, and whether electoral system has to be amended. Some suggestions of “neutral” or “non-political” PM if parties unable to agree on leadership of new unity govt before election. Breakaway Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) threatened armed revolt if 70-point list of demands submitted to PM Bhattarai 10 Sept is ignored. PM Bhattarai 8 Sept warned of street protests against President Yadav if he does not endorse pending ordinances on education, health, civil service, truth and reconciliation commission. 13 opposition parties including NC, UML, CPN-M 24 Sept reiterated demand for PM Bhattarai’s resignation, threatened street protests. 1,388 former Maoist combatants qualified for integration into Nepal Army; further 75 undergoing tests for officer positions. Gen. Gaurav Rana appointed Nepal Army chief. U.S. State Dept removed Maoists from list of terrorist organizations.

President Yadav 17 Aug rejected govt ordinances on Nov Constituent Assembly elections due to lack of cross-party consensus. Govt 23 Aug extended Special Committee for Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist combatants for 3 months. Ruling coalition Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN-M), United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) members, Madhesi parties, smaller ethnic parties 15 Aug formed Federal Democratic Republican Alliance (FDRA) to support identity- based federalism. Main opposition Nepali Congress (NC), Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) started internal party discussions on federalism. Breakaway Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN- M-Baidya) parties 10 Aug formed alliance to oust govt. Youth wing of UML called transport strikes 5-7 Aug to demand PM Bhattarai’s resignation. Nepali Congress leader Khadka sentenced 14 Aug to 18 months prison for corruption. Human rights groups 31 Aug urged President Yadav to reject ordinance permitting amnesty for crimes committed during 1996-2006 civil war.

Govt missed 22 July deadline to amend electoral provisions; all-party agreement on elections remains elusive. Nepali Congress district presidents 31 July endorsed document considering new parliamentary elections as best option to end current political crisis. Govt 15 July announced partial budget through ordinance despite opposition criticism, demands PM Bhattarai resign. Maoist combatants 6 July boycotted screening for army integration claiming unfair entry standards. Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) 21 July announced investigations into alleged financial irregularities; protests, factionalism 17-21 July disrupted party’s seventh plenum. Student wing of breakaway Mohan Baidya-led Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPM-N) 16, 23 July vandalised Kathmandu, Sunsari schools, buses for charging high fees, having “foreign” names. CPM-N 29 July called for intensified anti-govt protests. Ruling coalition member Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Ganatantrik) split 1 July. Nepali Congress leader Govinda Raj Joshi sentenced 25 July to 18 months jail for corruption.