Kathmandu, October 13, 2005

King Gyanendra has ordered the Election Commission to conduct parliamentary elections by mid-April 2007. “We have commanded the EC to conduct elections to the House of Representatives within the year 2063 BS” said the King in his message to nation on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami yesterday. Stating that a meaningful multiparty democracy is possible only by re-energising representative institutions through free and fair elections, he added, “To honour the collective wisdom of all enfranchised Nepalis everyone with faith in multiparty democracy must contribute to its consolidation by participating in the forthcoming municipal elections.” He has also requested the international community, which believed in democracy, to actively assist in ensuring that the electoral process is dignified, free, and fair. “There should now be no delay on the part of those who have been misguided in discarding violence and dedicating themselves to the welfare of the nation and people by engaging in competitive democratic politics,” said the King. In order to safeguard the very essence of national existence, the King added, “There can always be a dignified basis for overcoming differences through mutual understanding.” He clarified, “Therefore, we would like to make it clear that the door to joining the political mainstream is open to all, giving due consideration to the nation’s requirements and the people’s aspirations as well as their responsibility towards the legacy of history.”

Registration for civic polls begins next week

Kathmandu, October 13, 2005

The Election Commission will begin the process of registering political parties for the forthcoming municipal elections next week. Talking to The Himalayan Times, EC spokesperson Tej Muni Bajracharya said the registration would begin next week after the government offices reopen. “For registration, the parties should present their statutes and lists of the executive committees,” he said. He added that no further discussion would be held with those parties that have decided to boycott the polls. The EC recently published its Code of Conduct for the municipal elections to be held on February 8. The political parties and candidates taking part in the municipal polls must not disseminate any opinion against nation’s sovereignty, parliamentary system, constitutional monarchy, multi-party democracy and judiciary, according to the code of conduct. A candidate may criticise another’s policies, programmes and public activities but should not indulge in mudslinging and character assassination. The conduct code adds that campaign rallies and mass meetings should be organised only after seeking permission from the District Administration Officer. The candidates must not use plastic, cloth banners or paint while campaigning.