Texas, USA, Sept 13

Former President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has said that free and fair elections can help check corruption.

Speaking at the 5th annual conference of America-Nepal policy research centre, held virtually on Saturday, he said the impartiality of elections was associated with the democratic procedures. Pointing out the need for reforms in the electoral process, he urged all concerned to take elections seriously.

“It is the responsibility of the parties to give life to the letters in the Constitution and work in the interest of the country and people”. The first President of Nepal also emphasized on the need for creative support of the Nepalis outside the country to make Nepal stronger and prosperous. Also speaking at the programme, former Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokharel said the role of the state, situation of parties, conduct of candidates and conscious level of voters influence elections.

Every electoral system has its weakness and strengths, and it is the actors who affect the system. Vice-chair of Nepali Congress Bimalendra Nidhi said as the expectation of voters too is for personal support, so the relations between the people’s representatives and voters get stuck on other issues. Member of National Human Rights Commission Mohana Ansari said election that is a medium of institutionalizing change becoming influenced by money, muscle and power is unfortunate.

Political scientist Krishna Khanal, economist Dr Surendra Raj Devkota, journalist Yubaraj Ghimire and other speakers called for collective efforts to put an end to the aberrations increasing in elections in Nepal.

Centre chair Dr Rajan Pant presided over the programme.