Two-day orientation on election management begins

Nepalgunj, Jan 12: A two-day orientation programme on election management for the chief returning officers, election officers and district election officers from the province  and district levels began here today. The programme aims to orient participants on various aspects of election management.

Inaugurating the programme today, Election Commissioner Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar said the elections are the fundamental foundation of democracy and that the Election Commission (EC) has been continuously working to conduct the upcoming House of Representatives election in a free, fair and impartial environment.

“The Election Commission bears a major responsibility for reinforcing democratic institutions by ensuring the exercise of citizens’ sovereign rights through elections,” she said. The Commissioner stressed the need to make fair, conscience-based and meaningful decisions in line with the law, while handling election-related complaints and disputes.

She also said the Commission is committed to guaranteeing proportionally inclusive participation of women, Dalits, indigenous nationalities, ethnic communities, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and sexual and gender minorities in the electoral process.

Highlighting the importance of transparency in the use of public resources, fiscal discipline and accountability during elections, she warned that hate speech, misinformation, disinformation and rumours could pose challenges to the credibility of the election. All concerned stakeholders were urged to remain vigilant against such risks.

Tuladhar further hoped a significant participation of youth in the upcoming election. She was of the view that full compliance with the Constitution, election-related acts, rules, guidelines, working procedures and directives issued by the Election Commission is the key to making the election effective and successful.

The programme will hold panel discussions on election management issues, including constitutional and legal provisions related to elections, human resources management, economic and security aspects, voter education, misinformation and disinformation, hate speech, propaganda, as well as regulatory and control mechanisms.

A total of 66 participants from 27 districts of Lumbini, Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces are attending the programme. Government Secretary Parashwor Dhungana, resource persons Komal Prasad Dhamala and Birendra Kumar Mishra, and Joint Secretary Shubhash Kumar Bhattarai are facilitating the sessions.

—-