Nepal, Dec. 26 -- The essence of democracy lies in popular mandate. Restoring the previous House of Representatives without seeking a fresh mandate from the people is not merely a legal or technical matter; it is a question directly linked to the democratic character of the state, political stability, and its long-term future. If the old parliament is reinstated through an agreement between the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress, bypassing elections, the impacts are likely to be structural rather than superficial.

First, the space for political expression and dissent may shrink. There is a growing risk of a trend where citizens, activists, or protesters who criticise the ruling powers are labelled 'anti-national'. This would inflict severe ...