Civil Society For Polls

MEMBERS of the civil society and professional groups have been constantly demanding that the date for the constituent assembly be announced, as it was one of the main mandates of Jana Andolan II. In this connection, civil society members staged a sit-in to exert pressure on the government to announce the date for the election. Constant pressure and vigil from the people and civil society are necessary so that the government is reminded of its promises and people's mandate. Such vigil and pressure from the people are necessary to maintain checks and balances in a democracy. Now the sole priority of the nation is the election to a constituent assembly, which will write a new constitution. This is a historic process through which the people's elected representatives write the constitution and determine their destiny. The eight political parties and the government are also determined to hold the election to a constituent assembly in November this year. For this, necessary preparation has already been initiated. The interim constitution has to be amended as it was earlier written in the interim constitution that the constituent assembly election would be held by mid-June 2007. As this election cannot be held by mid-June 2007, the constitutional provision has to be amended. The government has, thus, registered a proposal for the amendment of the constitution. Secondly, necessary laws for the constituent assembly election are being prepared.

These laws are under discussion in the interim parliament. Once the constitution is amended and laws are formulated, the government would formally announce the dates for the election to a constituent assembly in due consultation with the Election Commission. These developments have shown that the government is serious about holding the constituent assembly election about which Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has time and again expressed a clear commitment. But there are several things that have to be done to ensure free and fair elections. Laws and announcement of election dates alone will not ensure free and fair election. The first and foremost requirement for a free, fair and fearless election is law and order. But the law and order situation does not appear perfect as some groups and elements are openly flouting laws and trying to create chaos in the country. Unless such offensive activities are totally checked, people cannot vote without fear. Thus, the government must ensure strict law and order, and those who try to take the law in their hand must be punished. This would alone create a conducive atmosphere for a free, fair and fearless election. The political parties and civil society should also co-operate in maintaining security along with the pressure for announcing the dates for the elections.

Source: The Rising Nepal, June 8, 2007