Do not seek alternative to election, President tells parties

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 11: President Ramchandra Paudel has urged all political parties to focus their attention on the forthcoming election to the House of Representatives scheduled for March 5, 2026, stating that elections are the only means to safeguard the country, its people, democracy, and the constitution.

Speaking at an all-party meeting held at his office in Sheetal Niwas on Friday in the presence of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, and members of the interim government, President Paudel said that holding elections on time was essential to safeguard democratic values and ensure political stability. 

The President called on all sides to work together to create a peaceful, fair, and fear-free electoral environment. 

According to the President’s Press Advisor, Kiran Pokharel, President Paudel directed the government to make necessary arrangements for maintaining peace and security and to build public confidence in the election process. He noted that all political parties must unite at par the spirit of democracy and resolve their differences through dialogue rather than confusion or division.

Pokharel informed that the President further cautioned against seeking alternatives to elections, urging the party leaders instead to go before the people with a clear message and commitment to democratic principles. He also called on the government to immediately address the security concerns expressed by political parties, ensuring that the election would be held in an atmosphere of confidence and stability.

Leaders attending the meeting expressed their readiness to participate in the elections, reaffirming that political parties committed to democracy are always prepared to face the elections.

 However, they raised concerns that the existing security arrangements have created doubts about whether the elections could be conducted in a truly free and fair environment. They highlighted that the government must dispel such uncertainties and guarantee safety for all stakeholders involved in the polls.

Pokharel also informed that Prime Minister Karki, who chaired the meeting, assured that the government was fully aware of its responsibilities and was determined to ensure peace and security for the election. 

“There can be no election without the cooperation of the political parties,” she said, adding that the government would manage all necessary arrangements to conduct the polls in a free, fair, and fearless manner. 

Prime Minister Karki also appealed to the parties to understand the causes of public dissatisfaction and to move forward in unity, embracing the changes demanded by the people.

All ministers of the interim government, including Prime Minister Karki, attended the meeting. Nepali Congress Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka and General Secretary Gagan Thapa; CPN-UML Senior Vice President Ishwor Pokharel and General Secretary Shankar Pokharel; and CPN (Maoist Centre) Senior Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Secretary Barshaman Pun were present in the meeting.  Likewise,  Rastriya Swatantra Party's Acting President DP Aryal and Joint General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya; Rastriya Prajatantra Party's Spokespersons Gyanendra Shahi and Mina Lama; and CPN (Unified Socialist) Vice President Rajendra Pandey and General Secretary Ghanshyam Bhusal attended the meeting on behalf of their parties. 

Similarly, representatives from other parties included Janata Samajwadi Party’s Renu Yadav, Janmat Party’s Chandrakant Raut and Dr. Jay Kumar Raut, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party’s Gyanendra Jha and Sarbendra Nath Shukla, Nagarik Unmukti Party’s Resham Chaudhary, Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party’s Sunil Prajapati, and JSP Nepal’s Vidyut Bajracharya and Prakash Adhikari.

However, no chairman or president of the political party attended the crucial meeting.