Commitment To The Polls

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has articulated his firm commitment to holding the polls to the constituent assembly and maintained that the date for the polls would be announced soon after consultation with the other political leaders. Giving his views in unambiguous terms, Prime Minister Koirala mentioned that the election to the constituent assembly should be held to address the concerns as well as aspirations of the people, for which there should be no doubts and apprehension.

The views held by the prime minister seek to confirm that the government is committed to conducting the polls to the constituent assembly, and any confusions and contradictions regarding the issue should not be allowed to prejudice the political environment. The disparate utterances that have come to the fore these days from different political corners have lent the impression that no unanimity of views are held by the political stakeholders regarding the polls. However, the pronouncements coming from the eight party leaders on Friday indicate that coherence of views does exist among the leaders.

Moreover, the political leadership in the country was committed to forging unanimity to hold the polls to the constituent assembly and bring a new era of peace, democracy and prosperity in the country. The meeting of the eight party leaders that will be held soon will decide about the polls and allay all the confusions pertaining to it. It is encouraging to note that the Election Commission has accelerated the tempo of preparing for the polls as this is very crucial to take peace building and the democratisation process forward . The legal procedure for the polls should be defined to facilitate the process. Prime Minister Koirala commitment to conduct the election to the constituent assembly to enact a new constitution should be hailed and reciprocated as delaying the polls could mean a prolonged transition phase in the country?s politics. Some elements are obviously not in favour of the smooth organisation and implementation of the polls, and they may seek to disturb the process if the fluid and uncertain situation continues to exist in the country.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007