Nepal, June 25 -- Local governments are often regarded as the backbone of democracy. They are closest to the people and are primarily responsible for delivering essential services. The manner in which these responsibilities are carried out determines a country's democratic health. In particular, the degree of transparency, accountability and inclusivity demonstrated at the local level strongly reflects the overall strength and vitality of democracy.

Nepal is in the 10th year of constitutional promulgation, which has settled decades of democratic questions and its shape. The country's departure from the unitary governance model to a three-tier model envisioned local government as one tier with the responsibility and authority to discharge...