Kathmandu, Dec. 22 -- Political party leaders, legal experts, and public intellectuals have cast doubt on the snap elections scheduled for March 5 citing various shortcomings, but stressed that elections are unavoidable.

In a meeting jointly called by the Election Commission and the Home Ministry, politicians and experts urged Prime Minister Sushila Karki to personally engage with top party leaders to create a conducive environment for the polls.

The meeting, called to seek suggestions from political parties and other stakeholders on three election-related provisions-voting rights for Nepalis living abroad, out-of-constituency voting and the introduction of a no-vote option. The government is working to introduce an ordinance to include...