President’s urge to focus on elections

Kathmandu / Feb 13: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has urged leaders of major political parties to immediately begin the process of elections for implementing the new constitution.

At a meeting with senior leaders of the major political parties represented in the parliament at the Office of President on Monday, she requested the leaders to give special attention to implementation of the constitution and also the need of the nation. Stating that it is the duty of all to institutionalize the changes, President Bhandari emphasized on the need for unity and collaboration among the major political parties for securing the important and historical political achievements, according to a statement issued by the Office of the President.

The President also said that it was the supreme duty of the democratic political parties to contribute to constitutional development by respect and protecting the constitution achieved after a long and arduous struggle.

Referring to the constitutional provision of having to hold the local, provincial and federal parliament elections by January 2018, the President noted that the duty to begin the election process did not come all of a sudden, and was already known at the time of promulgation of the new constitution. “Periodic election is the right of a citizen, and the right should not be infringed,” the President said on the occasion.

Drawing the attention of the government, election commission, political parties and all sides concerned to create environment for free and fair election, President Bhandari urged all to take initiative to address people’s aspiration to take part in elections.

The President stressed that all political parties should come together to materialize people’s aspiration to further consolidate the Federal Democratic Republic by holding all three tiers elections within the statutory date.

“It is definite that the election would make the political parties further vibrant through people’s mandate. It will also ensure active participation of new generation in every aspect of the country development. The time has come to fulfill the duty in a more integrated manner. I would like to draw attention of all sides concerned to the shared responsibility of relieving the country from political instability and constitutional crisis”, she added.

The President also urged the political parties to remain proactive in the campaign of economic transformation.

Present in the discussion were Prime Minister and CPN-MC Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairperson Kamal Thapa, Co-Chairperson of Federal Socialist Forum Rajendra Shrestha, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum (Loktantrik) Chair Bijaya Gachchhadar and Tarai-Madhes Loktantrik Party Chairperson Mahantha Thakur, among others. RSS