KATHMANDU, Dec 6: A two-day Sixth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VI) convened in Kathmandu today. 

The event themed 'Building Sustainable Democracies: Addressing Electoral Challenges and Opportunities' has brought together election management bodies, civil society organizations and other stakeholders from across Asia to engage and collaborate.  

Inaugurating the Forum co-hosted by the Election Commission and the Asian Network for Free Election, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Prakash Saud, said the Election Commission functions as an independent body constitutionally and it has successfully conducted the three-level elections for two terms.

According to him, the government is open to reform the existing electoral laws based on the submissions for ensuring free, fair and impartial elections. As he said, our electoral experiences and learning can be utilized for strengthening democracy and making the electoral systems and procedures compatible with time. 

Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya expressed his hope that the Forum would provide an additional guideline to further strengthen democratic norms, values and commitments. "Collective commitments are essential to seek a wider participation of citizens in elections and make democracy result-oriented."

Over 200 people have joined the Forum which is to see 21 paper presentations on seven topics by experts from Nepal and other countries, and wrap up by issuing a Kathmandu declaration. 

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• AESF-VI