Congress MP KC Urges Election Commission Independence

Kathmandu. Opposition party Nepali Congress lawmaker Arjunnarsingh KC has said that the Election Commission should not be made a helpless shadow of the government.

While presenting his views during the hearing of proposed Election Commissioner Guruprasad Wagle in the parliamentary hearing committee on Tuesday, he emphasized the need to develop the commission as an impartial and autonomous constitutional body. 

He mentioned that the role of the Election Commission is crucial for the strengthening of democracy, just like the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

Defining the Election Commission as the sixth organ for safeguarding democracy, he said that only the independent decisions of the commission can truly represent public opinion. Citing the example of former Chief Election Commissioner T.N. Seshan of neighboring India, he stated that commissioners in Nepal should also possess similar courageous capabilities.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the process of political appointments in constitutional bodies, he commented that appointments in Nepal are made on the basis of power-sharing. He pointed out the need for a system of selecting independent individuals through an all-party committee, similar to that in Britain.

During the discussion, MP KC said, 'Journalism is considered the fourth organ in the process of operating democracy throughout the nation, after the executive, legislature, and judiciary.'

He clarified that the democratic world considers the independent Election Commission as an important organ, another guardian institution. He stated that democracy is strong only where the Election Commission makes independent decisions and ensures the opportunity and environment for the true mandate of the people to be represented.

He said that it cannot be said that there was no political prejudice in the past, nor can it be said that we are completely free from it now. He added, 'Democracy runs on institutions and values – beliefs, not on individuals. Therefore, our attention should be on how strong, vibrant, and effective we can make those institutions and values.'

He stated that how to conduct elections, how to conduct them impartially, and how to improve technical aspects and digital systems are only a part of the election process. However, he pointed out the need to seriously consider how to make the Election Commission more effective, capable, and independent.

Expressing the view that some new reforms should come in every sector with the current change, he said, 'Now our institutions, the value system by which democracy runs, our constitutional institutions were the same yesterday, they are the same today. Yesterday they were the helpless shadow of the government, and they are still the helpless shadow.'

He said that yesterday, action against corruption was stopped when the government did not allow it, and today, even if someone needs to be imprisoned, intimidating any organ of the constitutional body does not fall within democracy.

He stated that the government and the Election Commission should be serious about ensuring the right to vote for Nepali citizens living abroad. Admitting that past governments and parties had committed to this issue but could not implement it, he urged that it be prioritized in the upcoming elections.