KATHMANDU: Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has said that the interim government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki cannot afford to fail in its mandate to restore peace and conduct the upcoming national elections.
Speaking before the National Concerns and Federalism Strengthening Committee of the National Assembly on Thursday, Minister Aryal presented a detailed report on the country’s current law and order situation and the government’s election preparations.
He said that the government is treating the issue of escaped convicts and stolen weapons as major security challenges. “The government has taken these matters with utmost seriousness,” Aryal told the committee.
The minister emphasized that holding the parliamentary elections on March 5 is the government’s top priority. “Preparations are moving ahead in full swing,” he added.
Aryal said that the Voter Registration Act has been amended to allow more young voters to participate, resulting in the addition of over 200,000 new voters. He also informed the committee that a joint security patrol has already been launched to ensure safe and fair elections, and a working committee led by a Home Ministry joint secretary has been formed to oversee security management.
He further revealed that the government is studying legal provisions to allow Nepalis living abroad to vote, with the Policy Research Institute assigned to conduct the necessary research.
Regarding election infrastructure, Aryal said that the reconstruction of damaged polling centers is underway and that the risk assessment report has already been submitted.
“Despite the short tenure, this government is making every possible effort to meet the expectations of the people within the legal framework,” Aryal said. “We do not have the luxury of failure. Continued cooperation from all sides is essential to ensure success.”
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