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President Ram Chandra Paudel returned home today after completing his official visit to Japan.

Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, ministers and the chiefs of the security bodies welcomed President Paudel at the VVIP Lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport. 

A contingent of Nepali Army accorded a guard of honour to the Head of the State.

At the invitation of the Japanese government, President Paudel left for Japan, leading a Nepali delegation to attend a special ceremony organized on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Nepal-Japan diplomatic relations on February 1. 

The President addressed the special ceremony organized in Tokyo, Japan.

He was also accompanied by his spouse, Sabita Paduel.

During his stay, President Paudel paid a courtesy call on Japanese Emperor Naruhito, while the Japanese Prime Minister and the Minister of State for Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on President Paudel separately.

Similarly, Paudel addressed a program of the Japanese businesspersons and of the Nepali diaspora in Tokyo. He also inspected the Nepali Embassy in Japan. 

Nepal and Japan had established diplomatic ties on September 1, 1956. 

Following the establishment of diplomatic relations, Nepal set up its embassy in Tokyo in 1965, while Japan's embassy in Kathmandu in 1967.

Newly appointed Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal Ruwanthi Delpitiya paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sushila Karki at the latter's office, Singha Durbar, on Wednesday.

Bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting, according to the PM's secretariat.

PM Karki congratulated the newly appointed Sri Lankan Ambassador Delpitiya and wished her a successful term. 

Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari has informed that activities are underway in a planned manner to prevent possible misuse of technology in the upcoming elections. 

The elections to the House of Representatives are just a month away, March 5.

Addressing a program organized by the Election Commission to exchange memorandum of understanding with the representatives of TikTok on Wednesday, he mentioned that a historic agreement was signed and it would be instrumental in creating a clean digital atmosphere for HoR elections. 

Bhandari expressed the belief that the agreement would help to minimize violation of election code of conduct and curb spread of false information. 

He thanked TikTok for its free support to stop misuse of its tech platform that might take place during the elections. 

On the occasion, EC Joint-Secretary and Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, and Head of Public Policy and Government Relations at TikTok, Ferdous Al Mottakin, exchanged the MoU. 

The EC believed that the initiative would help maintain impartiality of HoR elections. 

It would further contribute to EC's efforts to control misleading and harmful content that could affect the election, added EC.

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..