Kathmandu, September 1:

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today said holding Constituent Assembly (CA)

elections was the main goal of his administration.

He said the state’s credibility now hinges on its success to hold the elections peacefully. “I am concentrating only on holding the CA elections as it is the main goal,” Koirala said while inaugurating an orientation programme on CA election security, organised by the Home Ministry.

Koirala added that the CA will put an end to instability and create a dynamic, peaceful and stable country. He appealed to one and all to help hold the CA elections peacefully for the greater good of the people.

The Prime Minister suggested to all stakeholders to overcome differences and create an

environment of trust. Let positive thinking guide all of us, Koirala said.

Stating that the achievements of second Jana Andolan will be negated if the elections are not held, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said, “Who will win or lose is not important. The most important thing is how can we make more and more people join the poll-fray.”

“For the elections, there should be a better understanding among all the stakeholders.

Also, the morale of security forces should be boosted to hold the elections peacefully,” Sitaula said.

Taking into account the initiative taken by the Home Ministry to organise the orientation on

CA elections, chief election commissioner Bhojraj Pokharel said, “The country has caught the CA fever”.

“However, the most important issue is how the government, political parties and security forces coordinate to conduct the elections,” he added.

Stating that the Election Commission has been frequently haunted by questions about

security situation, Pokharel noted elections have been held in other countries too after lasting conflicts.

“There has been massive mobilisation for the CA elections considering the complex situation,” he said. “If the government fails to hold the elections, the state will lose credibility in the international arena.”

Home secretary Umesh Mainali said orientation programmes would be organised in five development regions to create a peaceful environment for the CA elections.