Kathmandu: The Election Commission has engaged in consultations with its former office-bearers and secretaries in preparation for the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives and the National Assembly. The meeting, held at the EC’s central office in Kantipath, aimed to gather insights from past experiences to ensure the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and secure manner.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the newly formed government, inspired by Gen Z protests, is tasked with overseeing the House of Representatives election slated for March 5, while the National Assembly election is scheduled for January 25, involving the selection of 19 members. The meeting was presided over by Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari and attended by commissioners Sagun Shumsher JB Rana and Dr. Janaki Tuladhar, along with former chief election commissioners Surya Prasad Shrestha, Nil Kanth Upreti, and Dolakh Bahadur Gurung. Former EC secretaries Madhu Regmi, Bharat Mani Subedi, Suresh Adhikari, and Rabi Raj Pant were also present.
EC Secretary Mahadev Panth explained that the program was designed to facilitate the exchange of experiences regarding the management of challenges in previous elections. He noted that all vacant positions in EC offices nationwide have been filled in preparation for the elections and mentioned that a meeting with security agencies is underway to focus on election security.
Panth emphasized the importance of leveraging the knowledge and experience of former officials to inspire improvements and innovative approaches in election management. He stated that the upcoming elections serve as a crucial element of democratic practice and a constitutional obligation.
With 125 political parties registered at the EC and others in the process of registration, Panth expressed that the discussions are expected to yield valuable suggestions on creating a conducive environment for the elections and implementing the election code of conduct effectively.