Party for Progress (PFP) to be launched today, Friday, has a point (see Thursday paper). There is something inherently wrong about scheduling elections leaving no opportunity for new political parties to participate because the time for such has already passed when the announcement is made.
The November 25 date set for an early return to the polls is not unconstitutional per se, as the problem has more to do with the Electoral Ordinance and the Law on Registration and Financing of Political Parties, particularly the terms mentioned therein. This lack of coordination between related legislation has been at issue before and played a role in postponing snap elections on two prior occasions.
However, in both those cases this was decided before Nomination Day, because doing so after all the candidate lists have been submitted on October 2 seems almost unthinkable. And because proposed ministers of an interim cabinet to be formed must first undergo a screening process, that deadline would probably come too soon.
It thus appears to be up to – what’s left of – the current UD/SMCP government to make an adjustment that can still reasonably be implemented. This may require the governor’s input as well, to reconsider ratifying the relevant national decree and move the vote up to January or February.
Of course, if the latter takes place there’s no guarantee the interim cabinet once in office won’t delay the election even further, but at least potential newcomers will get a fair chance to be on the ballot. It’s the only democratic choice.
