Chief Election Commissioners from SAARC nations call on President Paudel

Chief Election Commissioners from the member countries of the Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA), who are presently in Kathmandu for the 12th annual meeting of the Forum, paid a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Paudel on Thursday.

During the meeting at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas today, President Paudel stressed that periodic elections are the cornerstone of democracy and means of ensuring citizens' access to and ownership of the state. He underlined the need to guarantee that each election is free and impartial. 

The Head-of-the State expressed his hope that the Conference would enhance impartiality, accountability, and fairness in elections across South Asia. "I hope that the Forum will continue to contribute to promoting and strengthening democracy through free, fair, reliable, and transparent election processes."

He as the President of the Chair country of the Forum said that Nepal is committed to achieving the collective goals of the organization and addressing the challenges collectively.

On the occasion, Chief Election Commissioner, Dinesh Thapaliya, briefed the President about the Conference, according to the Office of the President.

The Chief Election Commissioner and representatives from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives among others were present on the occasion.

The two-day FEMBoSA event hosted by the Election Commission of Nepal was inaugurated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday.