Kathmandu: The Election Commission has engaged with its former office-bearers and secretaries in preparation for the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives (HoR) and the National Assembly (NA). The consultation took place at the EC’s central office in Kantipath, with the aim of leveraging past experiences to ensure the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and fear-free manner.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the meeting was chaired by Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari and included commissioners Sagun Shumsher JB Rana and Dr. Janaki Tuladhar. Former Chief Election Commissioners Surya Prasad Shrestha, Nil Kanth Upreti, Dolakh Bahadur Gurung, as well as EC’s former secretaries Madhu Regmi, Bharat Mani Subedi, Suresh Adhikari, and Rabi Raj Pant, were also present.
On the occasion, EC Secretary Mahadev Panth stated that the programme was organized to share experiences related to overcoming challenges encountered in previous elections. He confirmed that all vacant posts at EC offices nationwide have been filled to facilitate the elections on schedule. A meeting with security agencies is also planned to focus on election security.
Secretary Panth emphasized the value of the knowledge and experience of former office-bearers in inspiring improvements and innovative thinking in election management. He noted that the upcoming elections are not only a constitutional obligation but also a fundamental aspect of democratic practice.
The EC has registered a total of 125 political parties so far, with some parties still in the process of registration. Panth expressed that the discussions are expected to yield significant suggestions on creating a favorable environment for the elections and ensuring effective implementation of the election code of conduct.