Nepal exemplary in South Asia for periodic election: NC Gen-Sec Thapa

Kathmandu, August 24: Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has stated that Nepal has set an example in the South Asian region for conducting periodic elections.

At an interaction organised by the Nepal Voters’ Rights Forum on ‘Integrated Election Bill’, leader Thapa argued that holding a timely election was a reflection of the country’s strong commitment towards democracy. Stating that the Bill proposed by the Election Commission of Nepal was a well-drafted document, he said that there was room for improvement in the Bill.

He emphasised moving forward after considering some changes through parliamentary discussions. He also called on all political parties for an honest political commitment and pressed for population-based representation. Likewise, CPN (UML)’s Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai stressed the importance of aligning the election act with other political parties’ acts. CPN (Maoist Centre)’s central committee member Madhav Sapkota criticised the current electoral system as extravagant and suggested adopting a fully proportional electoral system to cut election expenses.

Rastriya Swatantra Party’s Chief Whip Santosh Pariyar emphasised for an inclusive proportional provision enshrined in the constitution. Likewise, Janamat Party’s Secretary-General Chandan Kumar Singh viewed that inclusive and proportional principles stipulated in the constitution should be prioritized. Janata Samajwadi Party’s General Secretary Ram Kumar Sharma called for adopting the electoral system that benefits all since, he argued, all Nepalis had equally contributed to the cause of democracy.

CPN (Unified Socialist) Vice-Chairperson Jayanti Rai viewed that the proposed Bill should be presented in the parliament at the earliest.