KATHMANDU, Sep 24: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has urged the Election Commission to immediately start preparations for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5 next year.
During a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office, Karki emphasized that conducting the election in a free, fair, fearless, impartial, and cost-effective manner is the government’s top priority.
She assured the Commission that the government would provide all necessary resources, manpower, and reliable security arrangements, while urging the body to advance all preparatory works promptly.
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Sources told Republica that the government signaled the EC that it will amend the Voter Registration Act 2073 in the next cabinet meeting, to allow the younger generation of 18 or above to participate in the election.
Under current law, citizens 18 years and older can vote only if they are registered with the EC and are included in the voters’ list. Yet many young people miss out on registration unless special campaigns are launched. The challenge is further compounded by Subsection 2(2) of Section 4 of the Voter Registration Act 2073, which bars new voter registrations once an election date is declared.
The amendment through ordinance will allow hundreds of thousands of new voters to participate in the election. In fact, the EC has already sent a draft of the act for amendment which should be first approved by the Home Ministry, and then by the Law Ministry before tabling it to the cabinet for final decision before authenticating the ordinance.
During the meeting, Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said ballot boxes and other materials are already in stock, and any shortages would be fulfilled through domestic production and procurement.
He also pledged to move forward with support from all political parties, civil society, and the media for the successful completion of the election.
Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anil Kumar Sinha, Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, as well as Election Commissioners Dr. Janaki Tuladhar, Sagun Shumsher Rana, and Secretary Mahadev Pantha were also present at the meeting.
