Timely election primary duty of government: Minister Aryal

By Our Correspondent,Kaski, (Pokhara), Dec. 16: Minister for Home Affairs Om Prakash Aryal has said that holding elections on the scheduled date and handing over authority to a government elected through the ballot is the foremost responsibility of the executive.

Addressing the opening session of the Gandaki Province-level Security Seminar in Pokhara on Monday, Minister Aryal said the government was moving decisively towards conducting the House of Representatives election as scheduled, with preparations already under way following the publication of the election timetable. The election is due to be held on March 5, 2026.

The one-day seminar, jointly organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Gandaki Provincial Government, is aimed at ensuring a free, fair, credible and fear-free election environment. Minister Aryal said the Integrated Security Plan for the House of Representatives Election-2082 has been approved and is being implemented accordingly.

Stressing that free elections and the rule of law are integral to democracy, the Home Minsiter said spreading misinformation that elections would not take place or attempting to undermine good governance was unjustifiable. “This government itself was formed with the objective of transferring responsibility to an elected government through elections,” he said.

On absconding prisoners, the Home Minister said nearly 70 per cent of fugitives have already returned to custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining individuals, with the home administration remaining vigilant.

He added that similar security seminars are being held across all provinces to strengthen preparations for peaceful, impartial and secure elections, expressing confidence that the Gandaki seminar would 

help assess security challenges, devise strategies and finalise necessary preparations. He also emphasised the important role of the provincial government in maintaining law and order and creating a conducive election environment.

Minister Aryal urged administrative and security agencies to act impartially, bring illegal activities under the ambit of law and prevent wrongdoing under any guise, while ensuring that innocent people are not affected. He said the government would not compromise on the rule of law and justice under any circumstances.

Speaking at the event, Chief Minsiter of Gandaki Province Surendra Raj Pandey said there was no alternative to holding elections on the designated date, warning that claims of an unfavourable election environment would push the country back into political instability. 

He noted that issues such as remaining absconding prisoners and unrecovered looted weapons had weakened public confidence but stressed that using these as excuses would further deteriorate the election atmosphere.

Gandaki Province comprises 11 districts: Gorkha, Tanahun, Syangja, Lamjung, Kaski, Manang, Mustang, Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi and Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East).

The seminar was attended by senior provincial officials, top security chiefs including Major General of Nepali Army of the Western Divisions Headquarters, representatives of national security agencies, district administrators, and members of the Federation of Nepali Journalists and the media.