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Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that  voting in the mountainous and hilly districts will be held on March 5 under any circumstances.

The Prime Minister arrived in Solukhumbu today to assess election preparations, relevant security arrangements, and geographical challenges. 

On the occasion, she stated that there is no situation that would warrant postponing the election, emphasizing that the election must be held as scheduled.

“There is no alternative to holding the election on March 5 to free the country from the cycle of instability,” she said. Acknowledging the challenges of conducting elections in mountainous regions, she added that the government has already made necessary arrangements to address such adversities.

The Prime Minister urged voters, political parties, and candidates to remain confident that the election will be conducted in a fearless, peaceful, and impartial atmosphere. According to her, the government’s entire focus is now on ensuring the election is held in a cordial environment. She also called on all concerned bodies to concentrate their efforts on the polls.

During a briefing with the District Security Committee, the Prime Minister specifically directed authorities to create an environment where voters can cast their ballots without fear, pressure, or influence.

She instructed the concerned authorities to leave no stone unturned in guaranteeing security at remote polling stations in the mountainous areas, and directed them to mobilize additional security forces if necessary.

On the occasion, Chief District Officer Leela Kumari Pandey KC presented a detailed briefing to the Prime Minister, highlighting the district’s overall security situation, the physical status of polling centers, and their accessibility.

After reviewing the details, the Prime Minister directed the authorities to take special precautions regarding security, transportation of election materials, and the safety of ballot papers, according to CDO Pandey.

Solukhumbu, the part of Koshi Province, has 123 polling stations. The District Administration Office stated that alternative plans have been prepared in view of possible snowfall, climate conditions, and geographical challenges.

The Prime Minister said it is the constitutional responsibility of the government to ensure the voting rights of people in all areas, including mountainous regions. She assured that necessary arrangements would be made to enable the voters of Solukhumbu to cast their ballots in an easy and accessible manner.

The Election Commission (EC) has called on all first-past-the-post (FPTP) candidates for the March 5 election to the House of Representatives ( HoR)  to submit a copy of their election manifesto to the respective Election Officer’s Office by February 15.

The EC has written to all FPTP candidates, directing them to make their election manifestos public and submit a copy to the Election Commission Office in accordance with Clause 37 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082 BS.

Similarly, Election Offices in all provinces and the respective Election Officers’ Offices have been instructed to maintain records of the submitted manifestos and provide the details to the Commission.

Earlier, the EC had also written to political parties, urging them to unveil their election manifestos by February 15.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has prorogued the current session of the National Assembly to be effective from midnight on February 13.

President Paudel prorogued the session of the National Assembly, the upper house of the Federal Parliament, on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers on February 9, in accordance with Article 93 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal.

The current session of the National Assembly was convened on January 18.

The Madhes Province Assembly has so far legislated 67 laws, according to the Office of the Chief Attorney of the Madhesh Province. 

Chief Attorney of the Madhes Province, Dr Sunil Ranjan Singh informed that other laws are under formulation process.

It has been stated that the frequent changes in the governments have brought challenges in the formulation of other laws.

He further shared that the free legal aid program being operated by the Chief Attorney Office under the Madhes province government has gradually become effective. Citizens belonging to the poor and marginalized section have improved access to justice with the free legal aid service in place, he claimed.

Dr Singh expressed the confidence that the legal structure would further strengthen good governance and the judicial system in the province.

The number of beneficiaries from the service that was launched focusing on Dalit, disadvantaged, and backward people who are likely to be deprived of access to justice due to financial condition is annually increasing, the office shared.

The provincial government has been providing legal assistance by mobilizing legal professionals in all eight districts of Madhesh.

According to the office, as many as 108 people had received the service in the starting year while the number increased to 110 in the year 2076/77 BS; 144 in the year 2077/78 BS; 238 in the year 2078/79 and 368 in the year 2081/82 BS.

The end beneficiaries have been receiving legal aid for their services from the District Court, the High Court, the Supreme Court and the Administrative Court.