KATHMANDU: Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari has called on political parties and candidates to conduct their election campaigns freely and without obstruction.
Issuing a message today on the occasion of the 10th Election Day, Bhandari urged all concerned bodies to create a conducive environment for a clean, free, fair and peaceful election by ensuring necessary security arrangements for election employees, monitors, observers and voters.
“By embracing the core mantra of clean, free, credible, transparent and economical elections for peace, stability, prosperity and good governance, and through coordination, cooperation and partnership with all stakeholders, I am confident that the election to be held on March 5 will help bring the indiscipline seen after the rebellion back on track,” he said.
Nepal’s first general election, the House of Representatives member election, began on Falgun 7, 2015 BS, and concluded on Baisakh 21, 2016 BS. It was the first general election in Nepal conducted on the basis of adult franchise.
Election Day is observed every year on Falgun 7 in remembrance of the day Nepali voters exercised their sovereign rights for the first time.
With 14 days remaining for the House of Representatives election announced by the President following the Gen-Z uprising on September 8 and 9, Bhandari said this year’s Election Day is special and memorable not only for the Election Commission but also for voters, citizens, political parties and candidates.
He stated that periodic elections play a vital role in keeping the democratic system vibrant and accountable, describing them as a natural and integral part of democracy.
Stressing that democracy is strengthened through the regular selection of representatives through free and fair competition, Bhandari said candidates should present themselves before voters based on facts and reason.
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