Congress MP Dhungana Questions Election Commission's Candidate Disqualification Practices

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress MP Anand Prasad Dhungana has said that the Election Commission's practice of disqualifying candidacies at the last moment has raised questions about the people's right to vote and the democratic system itself. Speaking during the parliamentary hearing of proposed Election Commissioner Guru Prasad Wagle, MP Dhungana raised serious questions about the credibility of the election and the working style of the commission. 

Highlighting a controversial aspect of the last election, MP Dhungana said, 'In the last election, the Election Commission disqualified some candidates just before the voting, i.e., during the 'silent period'. However, the interesting and thought-provoking thing that was seen was that the Nepali people gave the most votes to those very individuals whose candidacies were disqualified. This means a big gap was seen between the commission's decision and public expectation.'

MP Dhungana further asked, 'How do you view the constitutional and practical crisis that arises from making such decisions at the last moment? If such problems arise in the future, how will you resolve them? Can't such issues be resolved much before the voting?'

MP Dhungana emphasized the need to make the election an environment that the people genuinely believe in, rather than limiting it to a mere technical process. 

Stating that the commission's decisions should be free from controversy, Dhungana said that the commission should be strict but fair in the interpretation and implementation of election laws.