NEPALGUNJ: A two-day orientation program on election management for chief returning officers, election officers and district election officers from provincial and district levels began in Nepalgunj today.
The program aims to orient participants on various aspects of election management ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives election.
Inaugurating the program, Election Commissioner Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar said elections are the fundamental foundation of democracy and that the Election Commission has been working continuously to ensure a free, fair and impartial electoral environment.
“The Election Commission bears a major responsibility for strengthening democratic institutions by ensuring the exercise of citizens’ sovereign rights through elections,” she said. Dr Tuladhar stressed that election-related complaints and disputes must be handled in a lawful, impartial and timely manner, guided by conscience, reason and fairness.
She said the Commission remains committed to guaranteeing proportionate and inclusive participation of women, Dalits, indigenous nationalities, ethnic communities, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and sexual and gender minorities in the electoral process.
Highlighting the importance of transparency, fiscal discipline and accountability in the use of public resources during elections, she warned that hate speech, misinformation, disinformation and rumours on digital platforms could undermine the credibility of the electoral process. She urged all stakeholders to remain vigilant against such risks.
Dr Tuladhar also expressed hope for strong participation of young voters in the upcoming election, adding that strict compliance with the Constitution, election-related laws, regulations, guidelines and directives of the Election Commission is essential to ensuring a credible and effective election.
The orientation program will feature panel discussions on key election management issues, including constitutional and legal provisions, human resources management, financial and security arrangements, voter education, as well as the control of misinformation, disinformation, propaganda and hate speech.
A total of 66 officials from 27 districts of Lumbini, Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces are taking part in the program. The sessions are being facilitated by Government Secretary Parashwor Dhungana, resource persons Komal Prasad Dhamala and Birendra Kumar Mishra, and Joint Secretary Shubhash Kumar Bhattarai.
Comment