Kathmandu, May 12 -- elections appear increasingly unlikely as legal provisions and a lack of preparations by the government and the Election Commission delay the process.

Officials said neither the government nor the Election Commission has made any concrete preparations for the elections, even as several positions remain vacant across local bodies.

Under existing law, by-elections can only be held if more than one year remains in the term of the vacant post. Since local elections were held on May 14, 2022, vacancies occurring after May 13 this year no longer meet the legal threshold for by-elections. The five-year term of local representatives expires on May 14, 2027.

At present, 13 positions including that of mayor, deputy mayor, ch...