Addressing a function organized by Reporters´ Club Nepal to mark its 15th founding anniversary on Saturday, Chairman Regmi urged those parties that have announced to boycott elections to participate in the election. [break]His remark comes in the wake of various ´disgruntled´ groups including Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist announcing to disrupt the ongoing voter registration process.
“While respecting the personal views and opinions of others, what I have felt is that the election is the only option that can help resolve all the problems. I, therefore, I request all from this forum to participate in the election process and move ahead in the interest of the Nepali people,” he said.
Chairman Regmi said he has taken the dissenting voices against the current government as ´constructive criticism´. “Though there were some differing opinions on the formation of the current government, a positive environment has been created with the newly formed government starting to work toward elections,” he said.
Regmi said the only focus of the current government is to hold fresh CA election for promulgating democratic, inclusive and lasting constitution. “The government is ready to address the demands of the disgruntled groups if they come to the negotiating table,” he said.
Referring to the arguments of the some political parties that head of the judiciary cannot head the executive, Regmi said he decided to head the government keeping in view the historic need to take up the responsibility, putting aside the ´technical interpretation´ of the Constitution.
Addressing the function, Minister for Home and Foreign Affairs Madhav Prasad Ghimire said the government is working to prepare legal ground for the Election Commission to hold fresh elections. “We have expedited voter registration with photographs and biometric across the country. We are in consultation with political parties to announce election date,” he said.
Minister Ghimire said that the government had given special focus on improving law and order situation in the country to create conductive environment for fresh polls. “The government is also holding dialogue with the disgruntled political parties to bring them onboard the election process,” he further said.
CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli speaking on the occasion said the formation of CJ-led government had paved the way for holding fresh CA election. He, however, demanded that all political appointments made by the Baburam Bhattarai-led government before its exit have to be scrapped for ensuring free and fair elections.
UCPN (Maoist) leader Agni Sapkota argued that since the current government was formed after nine months of negotiations among parties there was no point in debating who brought the proposal on forming CJ-led election government. He asked the government to immediately announce fresh election date.
On the occasion, Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Prakash Man Singh pointed out the need for bringing disgruntled groups on board the election process. “We should not debate over the current political arrangement. This is aimed at achieving federal democratic republican constitution,” he said.
Top leaders of various other political parties including Surya Bahadur Thapa of Rastriya Janashakti Party and Chitra Bahadur KC of Rastriya Janamorcha had underscored the need for holding the poll at the earliest to give a new lease of life to democracy.
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