Let Candidates Canvass Smoothly

Election forms a vital component of democracy. It is the most viable means for the people to articulate their needs, desires and concerns through voting. They exercise their sovereign right to choose the representatives of their preference. Come the election cycle, they get opportunity to decide as to which programmes, policies and plans of candidates suit them the best. The electorates closely scrutinise and interact with the visiting candidates and share their problems, hoping that the latter will sort out their issues if they win the polls. Seen from other side, elections offer a chance to the aspirants to contest the polls and hone their leadership skills. It is grand democratic exercise that bring a myriad of new faces into the mainstream politics, thereby reenergising and strengthening the democratic republic.

Election provides equal opportunity for everyone to raise his/her voice, but at the same time, it is equally important to ensure appropriate election environment for this to happen. Everyone should have the right to get engaged in the polls without fear and intimidation. Elections can help institutionalise democracy only when the polls are held in a free and fair atmosphere. The elements of violence, coercion and vote-buying do not make polls impartial but tip the poll scale in favour of those who flex muscular and monetary powers. All the political parties and the candidates should be allowed to freely conduct their election campaign. As the elections to the federal and provincial parliaments are approaching fast, it is the responsibility of all to guarantee a level playing field in the elections for making it a truly democratic game. 

The other day the Election Commission directed the government to create a suitable atmosphere for parties and candidates to participate in the election process peacefully. Directing the district administration offices of all 77 districts through the Ministry of Home Affairs, the EC has said that no citizen should be deprived of the right to participate in the polls as well as conducting electioneering. The local administration has been instructed to guarantee necessary security for the voters and employees, monitoring officers and observers assigned in the field. The EC's move has come in a response to various media reports that candidates were facing obstruction while on the hustings. There is no doubt it is the sovereign right of the electorates and candidates to take part in the poll campaigning. But, all the stakeholders need to abide by the election code of conduct so as to avoid any obstruction to the election drive.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya has called upon the industrialists and businesspersons to contribute on their part to create environment conducive for the elections. Thapaliya has sought their role in disseminating the Commission's information and messages to the people through their mechanisms. The private sector has nationwide networks that can effectively spread the EC's message related to voter education and abuse of social media. The business community is required to fulfil its corporate social responsibility. The country's business and economic sector is grappling with multiple problems such as liquidity crunch, hike in interest rates and declining savings. The private sector should take elections as an opportunity to give a positive direction to the nation. Following the conclusion of elections peacefully, the country is expected to see stability and economic prosperity. Therefore, its role is equally important in holding the polls in a fair and free manner.