Nepal has been without an effective government for 98 days now. And it seems it will continue that way for some more time.
The tenth round of voting to elect a new prime minister failed on Wednesday with the lone candidate, Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Poudel, getting defeated again.
Needing support of 300 lawmakers for a win, Poudel secured 109 votes in his favour. One lawmaker voted against him while 46 others remained neutral.
Continuing with their previous stance, Maoists and CPN-UML lawmakers boycotted the election. The three party forum of Madhes-based parties also stayed away.
The next round of voting to end the deadlock will take place on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, leaders of the three major parties—Nepali Congress, Maoists and CPN-UML held a meeting to find a way out of the impasse.
But with all sticking to their stands, no breakthrough came about. They will meet again on Thursday.
Maoists and CPN-UML are urging Nepali Congress to quit the PM race in order to forge a consensus while the latter is demanding a package deal including assurance from Maoists to dismantle its military structure.
Nepal is in the process of electing a new prime minister after Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned on June 30 to make way for a consensus-based coalition government.
{{/usCountry}}Nepal is in the process of electing a new prime minister after Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned on June 30 to make way for a consensus-based coalition government.
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