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Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav has said that the upcoming election serves as an opportunity to further strengthen democratic practices in the country. 

Addressing the fifth anniversary of the Indigenous Nationalities Commission today, the Vice President was of the view that election provides citizens a vital platform to express and exercise their rights. 

He stated that through elections, Nepali citizens exercise their franchise and help determine state policies, emphasizing that such an opportunity should not be missed.

He added that elections help keep democracy alive by institutionalizing inclusive practices and strengthening the federal democratic system. According to him, the meaningful participation of all communities, including indigenous nationalities, is essential to ensure the success of the election.

Vice President Yadav also advised the Commission to take further initiatives to guarantee indigenous nationalities’ access to resources, ensure their participation at the policy-making level, and engage them in a just development process. 

He stressed that the relevance of inclusive democracy can only be proven when every citizen feels dignity in their self-identity and enjoys guaranteed rights.

He further said that constitutional bodies like the Commission have a significant role to play in building an equitable society..

The Nepal Army personnel will be mobilized from today to ensure free, fair, and fearless elections to the House of Representatives (HoR).

Security personnel from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the National Investigation Department are being mobilized under the coordination of the Nepal Army for the elections scheduled for March 5. 

Army personnel will be deployed across all 165 constituencies nationwide.

On November 27, President Ram Chandra Paudel on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and decision of the council of ministers, approved the mobilization of Nepal Army for the elections. 

As part of its election security responsibilities, the Nepal Army will oversee critical tasks, including printing and transportation of ballot papers, security at polling stations,  transportation of ballot boxes, and protection of vote-counting centers.

The closed list submitted by political parties for the proportional representation (PR) system of the elections to the House of Representatives includes more women than men candidates.

According to the details made public by the Election Commission, of the total 3,135 candidates there are 1,772 women in the final candidates for the PR system. Similarly, there are 1,363 men, with 63 political parties represented. 

The Commission has published the final list on Tuesday in accordance with Section 29 of the Election Act for Members of the House of Representatives, 2074 BS and Rule 16 (2) of the Election Regulations under the Act.

Meanwhile, the names of 76 candidates from the closed list were removed after they were deemed illegal by the Commission, citing various reasons. 

Those included 21 candidates who were blacklisted by the Credit Information Center and 25 people who were on the closed list for the proportional electoral system of the Provincial Assembly.

Similarly, the commission had also removed 10 people who had not paid the prescribed fine and one person who was not in the voter list of a backward region as represented in the closed list. Another, 10 the names were removed as communicated by the concerned political parties to remove them.

President Ram Chandra Paudel met with Emperor Naruhito of Japan at the Imperial Palace on Tuesday. .

During the meeting, President Paudel, who is on a four-day visit to Japan, highly appreciated the assistance provided and the role played by Japan as an important and reliable development partner in Nepal's socio-economic development. 

“Japan is supporting Nepal in areas such as human resources, health, agriculture, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and cultural preservation, and Nepal and Nepalis have benefited greatly from it,” President Paudel said, according to the President's press advisor Kiran Pokharel.

He also said that both countries are inspired by the teachings and ideals of Gautam Buddha. 

“Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, has served as a strong bridge to strengthen the relationship between the people of Nepal and Japan,” President Paudel said.

He said that the long-standing relationship between the two countries has progressed with closer and deeper friendship since the establishment of diplomatic relations. 

“The 70th anniversary of Nepal-Japan diplomatic relations that we are celebrating this year is a milestone in the bilateral relationship established between us,” Paudel said.

Stating that the exchange of high-level visits has further strengthened the relations between the two countries, President Paudel recalled Emperor Naruhito's visit to Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Pokhara and Lumbini during his friendly visit as a Crown Prince in 1987. 

He also expressed his gratitude to the Emperor and the Government of Japan for conferring the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on him in 2020.

The President also expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Government and people of Nepal for the goodwill and support of the Government of Japan, and extended an invitation to the Emperor and Empress to visit Nepal at a suitable time.

On the occasion, Emperor Naruhito of Japan said that the anniversary of Nepal-Japan diplomatic relations should be celebrated with joy. 

He mentioned that the memory of his visit to Nepal in 1986 was still afresh, shared President Paudel's Press Advisor Pokharel.

Emperor Naruhito mentioned that he was inspired to study water-related issues after seeing women carrying water pots for drinking water during his trek to Sarangkot in Pokhara. 

He said Japan would provide Nepal with all possible assistance and noted that Japan honored President Paudel for his contribution to strengthening Nepal–Japan relations.

At the invitation of the Japanese government, President Paudel, along with First Lady Sabita Paudel, arrived here on Monday to participate in a special ceremony to be held on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan.