Nepal, Feb. 2 -- As Nepal hurtles toward March 5, the political landscape is being defined by an extraordinary election in an abnormal situation. At a glance, the snap polls seem unprecedented in Nepali political history. A deeper look, however, suggests the first constituent assembly elections, in 2008, were held in even more dire circumstances. The Nepal Police is in disarray now; in 2008, it was defeated. Public frustration over the inadequacies of the political system is brimming now; in 2008, it had overflowed for a decade of insurgency. And a significant alternative force is on the rise now; in 2008, the alternative was surfacing out of jungles.

The Post's Biken K Dawadi sat down with former chief election commissioner Bhojraj Pokh...