Kathmandu: With just 81 days remaining for the election of the House of Representatives (HoR), the Election Commission has intensified preparations, completing the registration of political parties for both direct and proportional representation systems.
The government has also initiated necessary facilitation for the polls, while political parties across the spectrum have begun stepping up election-focused activities. As a result, the country is gradually entering a full-fledged election atmosphere, with political engagements increasing nationwide.
Political Parties Step Up Campaigns
From major national parties to newly formed political forces, election-centered campaigns have begun across the country.
The Nepali Congress has started selecting candidates nationwide and forwarding names to the central leadership. The party is preparing candidates for both the first-past-the-post and proportional representation systems. Alongside HoR candidates, the Congress has also begun selecting nominees for the National Assembly, placing it ahead of other parties in terms of candidate selection.
UML Convention and Election Commitment
The 11th General Convention of the CPN-UML commenced on Saturday. Addressing the inaugural session, party Chair KP Sharma Oli questioned whether a party confident of securing a majority in free and fair elections would shy away from the polls.
Chair Oli stressed that the government must ensure a conducive environment for free, fair and credible elections and urged authorities to encourage unhindered political activities. The UML has already completed party registration and other election-related formalities within the timeframe set by the Election Commission.
NCP Intensifies Nationwide Outreach
The Nepali Communist Party (NCP), formed through the merger of several communist parties, has accelerated election-focused activities through its nationwide “message assemblies.”
After organizing assemblies in Dhangadhi, Dang, Pokhara, Biratnagar and Janakpur, the party held a public meeting in Birendranagar, Surkhet, on Saturday. Another major assembly is scheduled in Kathmandu on Poush 5.
Party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ reiterated in Surkhet that elections must be held on the scheduled date, adding that the party has been actively working to ensure timely polls.
For the HoR election scheduled for Falgun 21, the Election Commission has begun determining proportional representation percentages based on population. The allocation will cover Dalit, Adivasi Janajati, Khas Arya, Madhesi, Tharu and Muslim communities as per constitutional provisions.
A total of 100 political parties will participate under the proportional representation system. The Commission completed party registration on Friday and allocated election symbols accordingly. Since multiple parties have opted to share certain symbols, 93 election symbols have been finalized.
Meanwhile, 114 political parties are set to participate in the direct election system.
Security and Code of Conduct Preparations
The Election Commission is currently drafting the election code of conduct and gathering feedback from stakeholders. President Ram Chandra Paudel has already approved the mobilization of the Nepal Army for election security upon the government’s recommendation.
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs has made all necessary preparations to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair and fear-free environment, while maintaining peace and security across the country.
