‘Fair Polls Ensure Democratic Governance’

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, May 11: The Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) organised a panel discussion on ‘Democracy and Election: Neighbourhood Experiences’ the other day.

Election provides legitimacy to democracy but it requires to be free, fair and peaceful to make democratic governance functional, effective and sustainable, said panelists and participants.

They expressed concerns over the expensive electoral process in South Asia, which, they said, weakened the democratic system and service delivery.

All agreed that illegal money, muscle and mafia have negatively impacted the elections considered the cornerstone of democracy.

“The use of unlawfully obtained money in politics is the primary cause of corruption.  Civil society, media and active citizenship can play an effective role in overcoming this poll anomaly and reforming the electoral system,” they agreed.

Four panelists – Ritu Raj Subedi of The Rising Nepal, Kamal Dev Bhattarai of The Annapurna Express, Chandra Sekhar Adhikary of  Himalpress and Salik Subedi of Nepal Television – presented their views on election and democracy at the interaction chaired IFA Acting Executive Director  Rajendra Pandey and moderated by IFA Resource Person Matrika Poudel.