Periodic elections a must for peace and stability: President

Kathmandu / Nov 16: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said periodic elections were essential for peace and stability in the country.

Addressing the ‘International Peace Conference in the Comprehensive Peace Accord’ organised by the Nepal Transition to Peace Institute here Wednesday, the President stated that heading towards the periodic election is the utter need of the hour for the consolidation of democracy and becoming responsible towards the people.

“Steering the country forward towards the periodic elections and peace is the major step, and I am confident all sides would extend cooperation to that end,” she added.

Noting that peace and prosperity complement each other, the Head of State said it is the main responsibility of all to secure durable peace and participate in the campaign of socio-economic transformation through sustainable development, establishment of a just system, participatory governance, political stability and good governance.

The President emphasised that it was an important duty of us all to be united for implementing the constitution to steer the country ahead rapidly towards the path of development and prosperity based on justice and equality.

She stressed that one and all should focus their attention to further intensify the ongoing efforts to heal the material and emotional wounds from the armed conflict, to promote reconciliation in society and to address the aspirations for justice.

Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Sita Devi Yadav said she believed that Nepalis are desperate for peace and that the state’s inability till now to make sound arrangements for reparation to the conflict victims proved that the peace process was yet to conclude.

Institute’s chairman Daman Nath Dhungana, vice chairperson Stella Tamang and general secretary Bidyadhar Mallik said the three-day conference would discuss topics as the success of the peace process, its challenges, issues to be addressed and the achievements made so far.

The conference will also discuss different working papers on the topics related to theme of the conference. RSS