Prime Minister Sushila Karki has asserted that the election to the member of  the House of Representatives (HoR) announced for March 5 is the only legitimate outlet to protect the country from constitutional uncertainty. 

In her address to an all-party meet held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Wednesday, she urged all the political parties to participate in the election process in a timely and responsible manner. 

Noting that the incumbent government was formed on the foundation of the genuine voice of the young generation and the movement against decade-long political irregularities, she said, “Youths have imparted a message. It's enough now. The politics of corruption, bad governance and undue access does not work from now onwards”. 

Based on this historical mandate, the President announced the election for March 5 by dissolving the HoR to give a political outlet taking into consideration the immediate need, the PM added. “The announcement was the only mandatory move to protect the country from the constitutional crisis and keep the country intact on the democratic track”, the PM claimed. 

The country has stood in the decisive mode and the gathering today is not only a ritual but a shared platform and opportunity to demonstrate high political resolution to ascertain the future of the democracy, the PM further said. “All should give the answer of the question whether to shape the democratic future or push it to the path of further uncertainty”. 

Saying that successful conduct of the HoR member election in the stipulated time (March 5) was the government’s constitutional obligation and solemn commitment towards the people, she said there is no confusion and deviation from this stance.  “Our commitment to election compulsion is strong and clear”, she said, adding the uncertainty seen among some political parties with the demand for parliament reinstatement and questioning over  legality of the government can bring the country to the state of instability. “We therefore should engage our political debate for election or the constitutional way out”, PM Karki further said. 

There is no alternative to the forces having conviction on democracy to abstain from the elections, she viewed, urging the parties to not deviate from their constitutional obligation by voicing for the reinstatement of the parliament. 

The PM went on saying, “Without participation and support of the political parties it is impossible to envision the election. I humbly request the political parties to ensure registration at the election commission within November 26 for election purpose”. 

She argued that this is not only an administrative process but also a test of the minimum political commitment towards the nation. “Not registering the parties or boycotting the election would be considered a choice of anarchy rather than a commitment to the protection of democracy”. 

Also on the occasion, the PM shared her grievance to the malicious expressions made by some leaders which she said has polluted the social environment. 

The PM asserted that the government would fully help the election commission to take action against those making such hate speech in a way to breach the election code of conduct. 

Stating that the incumbent government is oriented towards maintaining security and good governance in the country, Prime Minister Karki mentioned that the election would not be successful without establishing the political parties' confidence over it. 

She shared that the recently held Gen Z protest had called for an end to the trend of protecting brokers, middlemen and the corrupted. "We fully respect this voice. Youth dissatisfaction is not only the problem of legal provision. This is demand for structural and political resolution," opined PM Karki. 

Stating that the government wants to transform youths' aggression into positive energy through the ballot, she said that the government has been working to reform election laws through ordinance to increase youths' participation in the election. 

The government has been carrying out fair investigation into violent incidents that occurred during the Gen Z protest and bring the guilty under the ambit of law, the Prime Minister shared, adding the National Vigilance Centre is going to be empowered to carry out close monitoring of the impartiality of the activities of the public bodies. 

"Holding elections in a peaceful and fearless environment is the high-priority of the government. An environment will be created where every citizen can cast votes without any fear, for this any political dispute and anarchy shall be addressed," argued the PM. 

She said mobilization of security personnel in plain clothes and intelligence officers has been increased, keeping the districts, which are categorized as sensitive in view of security for risk management, as 'hot-spot'. "The government has been coordinating with the Election Commission to resolve problems related to election management in mountain districts." 

The Prime Minister further said initiatives are being taken for discussion with all sides in order to control political violence and confrontation. "This government is a bridge built for democratic outlets. Its success and utility depends on political determination and restoration of people's trust", she viewed, urging leaders of all political parties to be united in this big moment of national consensus. 

"I urge for cooperation and full commitment to fulfill the constitutional responsibility by registering parties within November 10 and taking part in the election on March 5 in a peaceful, economical and reliable manner," said Prime Minister Karki.