"In the context of successful completion of the task of holding Constituent Assembly (CA) elections including by-elections, I decided to be rid of all official responsibilities and live an independent life," Pokharel announced at a press meet.
He said there is no hidden reason behind his resignation. "The decision just came from within my heart. It has neither anything to do with the political changes in the government nor is there any hidden agenda. It is entirely my own choice," he said.
He also telephoned Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to inform the latter about his decision.
Pokharel said he is planning to devote much of his time to study and writing in the days to come. "I am writing a book based on my experience of holding the CA polls. Many in the international community will be able to learn from my book how a conflict-hit country, Nepal, could conducted a post-conflict election in a successful way," he said.
The Constitutional Council appointed Pokharel as CEC on October 30, 2006, with the responsibility of holding the CA elections, something he successfully accomplished in the given time. The term of CEC, a constitutional post, is six years. Only a two-third majority in parliament can sack a CEC through impeachment.
Pokharel had served as a civil servant and retired as a secretary in the government prior to his appointment as CEC.
Effective implementation of a five-year strategy introduced by the election commission during his tenure should further strengthen the commission´s institutional capacity for conducting free, fair and reliable elections in future, according to him.
The other three election commissioners -- Neel Kantha Uprety, Dolakh Bahadur Gurung and Dr Ayodhi Prasad Yadav -- remain in office.
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