That Prime Minister Sushila Karki is continuing Interim Government’s initiative to hear and have dialogue with politicos and others from various walks of life in the country including civil society and professionals is encouraging. It facilitates understanding among all election stakeholders. The opportunity it offers to have effective listening to those who engage in talk facilitates bonding among leaders and various stakeholders besides building public confidence in efforts to make the March 5 parliamentary poll a success. The election, it might be emphasized, holds key to re-establish the mechanism of governance in a legitimate track; a highly urgent need for Nepal at the moment. The political parties – new and old – are not only participating well in the conversation, but they are also frankly expressing their specific worries about safe campaigning, healthy voting with no sense of fear, and prompt counting of ballots. All of them have concerns about security issues regarding the poll – pre-election, during voting and aftermath of casting of votes. PM Karki’s observation during the talk looks highly assuring, cooperative and decisive. At the PM-politicos-talk officials responsible for managing election – Nepal Election Commissioners and others in it- also have clarified on how they are going to manage the election in all provinces. The financial resources and other materials essential for the polls are already in place and efforts are being made for arranging more finance if it is found essential. Similarly the bodies accountable for security matters in all three phases of the polls have also presented their strategy for avoiding any sort of fear or doubt or concern in all election-matters. A special election police force, previously called temporary police, is being trained for the polls. Voters of Nepal appear experienced in election matters; they have varied experiences in this regard; their historic participation in two Constituent Assembly polls and equal number of parliamentary polls under the federal system following the 2015 constitution should enable them to play their role more effectively in the forthcoming election which was compelled by the political crisis generated by the Gen Z revolution. All stakeholders together appear competent to make the poll a success and move the country forward under fresh leadership from March, 2026 on. The dialogue culture championed by PM Karki should continue until the mission is accomplished. The government’s move for listening to stakeholders of democracy, election and democracy would prove to be positive, constructive and effective. That would ultimately enable Gen Z leaders to work plan and strategy for the actual change they seek in governance, politics and integrity matters.
