BY THE CHIEF EDITOR
Rajagriha, 2 March 2021: General election to elect 20 members to the unicameral Parliament of Vishwamitra was successfully conducted following the declaration of results yesterday. This was the first full-time election held in the nation following its transition from a republic to a monarchy last summer. Month-long election process ended with the polling of votes in two phases held on the 27th and 28th February and the results of which being declared yesterday.
The 12th Parliament formed last March was dissolved by Rashtradhyaksh Dhrubajyoti Roy issuing a royal decree on 13 January 2021 following which the Election Commission declared the schedule for the 2021 General Election. The election code was implemented from the 28 January 2021 effective with the incumbent council of ministers under Prime Minister Anoushkaa Patranabish resignation from their positions paving way for a caretaker government to assume charge. Accordingly the Rashtradhyaksh nominated Foreign Minister Gheorghe Ştefan Marius to be the nation's second caretaker prime minister since 2020.
The position of a caretaker government was established before the 2020 general elections following which then first deputy prime minister Anoushkaa Patranabish was made the caretaker prime minister in order to ensure free and fair elections to the parliament.
According to the election schedule, the process of filling of nominations and declaration of candidates began on the 2nd of February and ended ten days later, on 12 February. The National People's Congress, which won around 97% of the total seats in the 12th Parliament was the first to declare its list of candidates to sixteen seats out of the twenty in the parliament, with two-time former Premier Anoushkaa Patranabish contesting from two different constituencies - Rashtra Niwas (Purvanchal) & Brikshasthana (Beltola) and her former deputy, Abhiraj Kar from Bhetapara and Basant Bahar of the province of Beltola.
The NPC's candidate list was closely followed by caretaker premier Gheorghe Ştefan Marius contesting from two constituencies in Purvanchal, viz. Rajagriha and the National Capital Constituency. Newly-emerged, Royalist Party declared its six-candidate list on 8 February with its leader and deputy Premier contesting from Boragaon constituency. 2020 "controversial Dhirenpara by-election" winner Isaiah Burdette contested from the same constituency. Amongst two surprising events, included a second list of the NPC declaring Mexican Ambassador Ezri Ambriz as its candidate from Basistha Central constituency of Basistha and Cristian Dobrev contesting from the Radisson parliamentary constituency as an independent candidate.
On 14 February, following the scrutiny of nominations, the election commission declared nine candidates elected unopposed to the parliament from eleven constituencies, with both the National People's Congress' candidates winning from nine and one constituency each being won by a Royalist Party candidate and an independent candidate. Notable unopposed wins included that of former premier Anoushkaa Patranabish winning from both the constituencies, she contested and former deputy premier Abhiraj Kar also winning from the two constituencies. Isaiah Burdette retained his Dhirenpara seat being unopposed elected to the 13th parliament. The election to the Chandril constituency was cancelled due to zero participation or no party declaration a candidate for the elections.
On 27 February, first phase polling were held to the remaining three constituencies of the Purvanchal province and two constituencies in the Uttaranchal province. 88% polling was recorded in Purvanchal whereas in Uttaranchal it was 90%. Uttaranchal had the highest polling percentage. Whereas, the second phase voting was conducted on 28 February to three constituencies - two in Kamrupa and one in Basistha. The polling percentage was recorded 53.8% in Kamrupa and 45.4% in Basistha. Basistha recorded the lowest polling percentage amongst all the provinces. No election were held in the province of Beltola and Madhya Prant, due to all its candidates winning unopposed. The total voter turnout recorded was 69.3%.
On the 1st March 2021, the results were declared with the National People's Congress won one of the eight seats and the Royalist Party winning four seats to the Parliament. Two seats were won by independent candidates including caretaker prime minister Gheorghe Ştefan winning from Rajagriha.
The result of the National Capital Constituency, the other constituency contested by Mr. Gheorghe was cancelled due to a draw between him and NPC candidate Saikat Seal.
The National People's Congress was able to win a total of ten seats including the nine won unopposed emerging as the single largest party in the 13th Parliament, and was one seat short for a stable majority; whereas the Royalist Party won a total of five seats to the parliament. Three seats were won by independent candidates.
Immediately following the declaration of results, Farhaz Hazarika MP-elect from Basistha City constituency, negotiated with caretaker prime minister Gheorghe Ştefan Marius, who won as an independent candidate, leading to his extending his full support to the National People's Congress led-government and formally joining the party as a member. Soon, after his joining the party, he addressed his resignation letter as the prime minister and his council of ministers to the Rashtradhyaksh which was later accepted by him. Privy Councillor Casper Naverović was immediately appointed as the acting prime minister and shall remain in office until a permanent appointment is made.
The seat arrangement on basis of political fronts in the 13th Parliament.
Later in the developments, Gheorghe was nominated as the Leader of the National People's Congress Parliamentary Board and was formally made as the party's nominee for the Prime Minister's position. Independent candidate, Cristian Dobrev extended his support to the National People's Congress leading to the party forming a formal coalition with a majority of 12 seats in the Parliament. The party had staked claim to form government before the Rashtradhyaksh who is expected to formally make the appointment anytime soon.
Amongst top contenders for cabinet positions, include Abhiraj Kar, Cristian Dobrev, Farhaz Hazarika, Daniel Lee. Major General Michal Nowacki is believed to be most likely be appointed as the Defence Minister despite him not being elected to the Parliament. The Royalist Party also expressed its desire to join the coalition and form an unity government, but moved out after an internal party decision to be the nation's principal opposition.
With all eyes on the appointment of a new prime minister and his council of ministers, the nation formally seems to have completed the biggest political event for the year. However, the biggest challenge for the coalition shall be the by-elections to the four constituencies of the Parliament to be held in April this year.
Stay tuned to the Purvanchal times for all latest developments.
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