KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has appealed to voters to exercise their sovereign franchise by actively taking part in the local level elections, saying the polls are being held in course of implementing the Constitution.

In a statement on Saturday, Prime Minister Dahal said that the first phase of elections is being held tomorrow, May 14, as per the federal system of governance comprising three tiers, envisaged by Nepal's Constitution.

"A total of 13,556 people's representatives in 283 local level units are being elected in the elections being held in 34 districts in Province No. 3, 4 and 6," he said in the appeal.

As it is through elections that people exercise their sovereign rights in democracy, this election can be taken as the first opportunity for the Nepali people to enjoy their sovereign rights, he added, "Though many have described local elections as taking place after a gap of 20 years, it is actually the first time that such an election is taking place in Nepal."

Prime Minister Dahal has also said that this election stands as a chapter in taking Nepal's peace process to a logical end while putting an end to the long-running unitary and centralised system to be replaced with a federal form of governance, adding that the power and resources concentrated around Simhadarbar would reach to the doorsteps of the people.

Requesting voters to cast vote being free from any fear and doubts, PM Dahal has made it clear that the government has not spared anything from its side to conduct the polls in a free, fair and fearless manner, and added that a robust and reliable security provision has been arranged for the polls.

PM Dahal has also asked the government employees, teachers and security personnel deployed in the polls to meet their responsibilities in a restrained manner while appealing to the political parties and media persons to extend their support from their respective positions.

"Tomorrow is not only the day of voting. It’s a celebration of Nepal's democratic history," the PM said.

The PM has further appealed to the people of Province No. 1, 2, 5 and 7 to actively prepare for the local level polls slated for June 14. He said elections were fixed on the second phase in those provinces to ensure broader acceptability of the Constitution.