Election Fever Picks Up

The election fever has already gripped the country. The process of filing nominations for November 19 Constituent Assembly Election under both first-past-the-post as well as the proportionate system has been completed. The political and independent candidates have also started their electioneering campaign in different ways in order to attract the voters. Although some groups have called for the boycott of the election, their appeal does not seem to have made much impact on the voters. The people appear to be enthusiastic to participate in the election and choose their representatives for writing a new constitution. This is an indication that there would be a satisfactory turn out of voters in the election. The upcoming election is a historic one, and it will have a long-term impact on Nepal’s political, social and economic spheres.

Nepal has already adopted an inclusive system in which all ethnic, lingual and gender communities are entitled to have due representation at all the policy and decision-making levels. The electoral system in Nepal, too, is inclusive in which all ethnic, gender, class and lingual representation would be ensured. In other words, the new constitution will be written by representatives of all groups and communities. The November 19 election is also a dream come true for the Nepalese people because the long-cherished dream of the people to write the constitution by their own elected representatives would be translated into reality. The demand for Constituent Assembly election had been raised immediately after the political change of 1951. But the kings and rulers of that time in connivance with some political parties scuttled the process of the Constituent Assembly election and instead the constitution was given by the king. This was the fundamental flaw in our political and constitution-writing process. As a result, democracy could not be institutionalized and strengthened. Now this is the time to translate the dream and desire of the people by successfully and peacefully completing the November 19 election with maximum participation of all sections and sectors of the country.

Now the country is in political transition and such a period is always marked by uncertainty. Political stability is necessary to institutionalize the political achievements made in the past that include republican set up, inclusive democracy, federalism, secularism, proportionate representation and state-restructuring. Similarly, this is the process to ensure peace and political stability, which is necessary for economic development of the country. Political stability can be ensured only when the election is held peacefully and a new constitution is promulgated. It is thus the duty of all to contribute from their respective positions to accomplish this historic responsibility in order to resolve most of the problems that plague the country and the people.