Kathmandu, June 27: Finance Minister Dr. Prakas Sharan Mahat has made it clear that the independent existence of the District Election Office will continue.
Clarifying the issue raised by MPs from opposition party including CPN UML and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in today’s first meeting of the House of Representatives, Finance Minister Dr. Mahat said that he fought for the establishment of democracy and said that the government will not deviate from the belief that ordinary citizens can freely participate in elections in a fair and fearless environment.
“We will not allow the independence of the Election Commission to be lowered at all. This is our belief”, Minister Mahat said, “Initiatives will be taken to make the district election offices more independent and effective, they will not be abolished.”
Earlier in today’s meeting, CPN (UML) and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MPs opposed the proposal to abolish the district election office and bring it under the Chief District Officer (CDO) office. After their protest, the meeting was adjourned for 15 minutes.
Finance Minister Mahat also expressed his commitment that the government will do its best not to create any doubt as they are adamant in favor of the independent existence of the Election Commission. He claimed that during the review of various offices in the budget of the next fiscal year, reference to the District Election Office was mentioned.
