For fair political competition

By TNW correspondent

As political parties and candidates go on campaigning for polls, they should keep in mind the great virtue of having political competition in a fair and decent way. The way, senior politicians assert, could contribute to the healthy practice of the electoral process which is key to institutionalize democracy and democratic practice in the country.

Since the general election 2022 carries high value for the country, its politics and governance, it should be taken seriously, honoured appropriately and utilized properly, they stress.

The traditional parties particularly the ruling coalition and opposition alliance should make special efforts to make the political competition fair and decent. “It is part of their obligations. They should tell cadres and campaigners to observe the poll code of conduct as revealed by the Election Commission some weeks ago.”

If the traditional parties – Nepali Congress, CPN Maoist Centre, CPN Unified Socialist, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party and Rastriya Jana Morcha of ruling coalition and CPN UML , Janata Samajwadi Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Pary Nepal take the point into serious consideration the political competition in the election will be healthy. The same would press others to follow suit irrespective of conflict among themselves. Moreover it would contribute to rendering the democratic practice in the country dignified and great.

Although political parties have differences and although leaders have various ways of handling politics, they should now concentrate on rendering the campaigning for polls 2022 healthy and fair. “It would be considered as their great contribution to democratic politics in the country.”

Campaigning slogans, speeches and other pre-poll behaviour should reflect the same spirit. Because of transactional politics political parties have developed various types of poll partnership – some odd and unthinkable – for maximum gain. That tendency also expects the same. None, political pundits say, is a loser in dignified campaigning.

“Poll expenses should also be watched. Let the spending not exceed what the EC code allows. The most disastrous – disinformation campaign – should be stopped. Digital media should be used properly and in a decent manner. They serve none. “