9th Election Day: Chief Election Commissioner bats for increased voter education

Kathmandu, Feb 19: Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya emphasized the need to expand election education and voter awareness to encourage greater citizen participation in the election process.

In a press statement on the occasion of the 9th Election Day observed today, Chief Election Commissioner Thapaliya stressed the urgency of making arrangements that would allow voters enlisted in the voter list at a designated polling station to cast their votes at any polling station across the country.

Election Day has been observed annually on the 7th of the Nepali month of Falgun (7th Falgun) since 2073 BS, commemorating the first General Elections held in Nepal on the same day in 2015 BS.

In his press statement, Thapaliya expressed his displeasure over the false narrative being propagated by political parties and their candidates regarding the cost of the electoral system, inflating their election campaign expenses. According to him, the actual election management cost is relatively low.

He also expressed concern over questions raised regarding the integrity of the state mechanisms used during the election, and emphasized that these mechanisms should be mobilized by the body responsible for managing the election after the election date is announced.

Thapaliya argued that the success of the election would depend on the awareness level among citizens regarding their rights and responsibilities—from electing representatives to exercising their voting rights.

The Chief Election Commissioner also expressed hope that legislation regarding election management and operations would be formulated and enforced at the earliest.

He acknowledged that the management of social media and artificial intelligence posed new challenges during elections.

In addition, Secretary at the Commission, Bharat Mani Subedi, affirmed that the Election Commission of Nepal maintained integrity and impartiality throughout the election process. He, however, called for a review to assess the need for improvements in the procedures and methods of election management.

The slogan for the 9th Election Day is “Effectiveness of Elections: Participation of General Citizens in the Election Process.”

RSS