Nepal May Declare November 22 One-Off Election Public Holiday

Sources: The Hindustan Times, Bhutan public holidays and Nepal public holidays. As preparation for the upcoming November 22 Constituent Assembly election, Nepal's Election Commission conducted its first of a planned series of mock elections, on Saturday at Pharping, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, in a process acknowledged by Chief Election Commissioner, Bhoj Raj Pokharel, to be inspired by neighboring Bhutan's recent mock elections.

Analysis: As it seems that Nepal's political parties in Nepal are happy with the Election Commission's mock exercise, it is likely, that in keeping with the precedent in Bhutan, Nepal may declare the day of the upcoming elections, Thursday, November 22, 2007, as a one-off public holiday to achieve maximal voter participation.