Narayan Neupane/RSS

KATHMANDU: As the election to the House of Representatives (HoR) scheduled for March 5 is approaching, the government has zeroed in on the poll preparations.

The Election Commission of Nepal, political parties and the security bodies have also oriented their focus towards the HoR election, officials and observers shared.

A total of 114 political parties were registered in the EC for taking part in the poll, while the government has also approved the integrated election security plan, a major initiative to conduct the poll in a free, fair and fearless manner.

Senior Vice Chairman of Loktantrik Samajwadi Party Nepal Laxman Lal Karn shared that his party has beefed up preparations for the poll, which he said include training the party cadres and meetings with voters.

“There is no option to the poll to end political uncertainty and safeguard the constitution in the post Gen-Z movement,” Karn added.

As part of the poll preparations, some political parties are receiving recommendations for potential candidates from different constituencies.

Similarly, the members of the young generation who have pressed for transformation in the political parties are also equally excited to take part in the upcoming poll.

Sandip Khatri, a permanent resident from Palungtar Municipality-2 in Gorkha district, echoed the views of Karn in regard to the timely election. Khatri said the election is the only way to end the present political transition country facing.

“Chances of undue maneuverings could take place in the country in the absence of parliament. The election should be done to foil such attempts. We are eagerly waiting for the poll,” Khatri shared.

In order to ensure the poll, the government has ensured Rs 6.73 billion for the EC for the election management purpose.

Delivering a message on the completion of 100 days of the new government, Prime Minister Sushila Karki has termed the upcoming election as an initiative to make democracy and good governance victorious.

Addressing the Gen-Z, PM Karki has said ballot papers offer the solution to the questions raised on the street. “The state will ensure your vote,” the PM assured.

The EC has also claimed that the entire responsibilities to be performed by the EC were carried out as per the calendar.

EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said that the date is approaching for the political parties to submit the closed list of candidates under the proportional representation (PR) electoral system. He said the EC is preparing for the printing of the ballot papers of the PR system from December 30.

Currently, the EC is working on the collection of details of the individuals for appointing the chief returning officers and returning officers. After the collection of details, the chief returning officers and returning officers will be appointed and their offices will be set up.