Kathmandu, Jan. 25:The Russian Federation is committed to strengthern democracy and parliamentary traditions in the process of all-round political development in Russia.

Ambassador of the Russian Federation for the Kingdom of Nepal Vladimir V. Ivanov expressed the view at a talk programme on “Recent Election of Russian Duma (Parliament) and the Forthcoming Presidential Elections in Russia” organised here yesterday by Centre for Civic Awareness and Social Studies, and Russian Centre of Science and Culture.

Noting that the recently held parliamentary elections were of great importance for the Russian society because we can not afford to stay still, the Russian envoy said that we have to move forward and the Duma elections were another right step in this direction.

Pointing out that the Dec 19 Duma elections were monitored by national and international observers who said that the elections were held in fair and impartial manner, the ambassador said that money and media play tremendous role in any election of the world and Russia is not an exception.

But he expressed the confidence that in the forthcoming presidential election, the election code of conduct will strictly be enforced.

There are enough legal provisions of punishment for those who will deviate from established election norms, the ambassador said.

The post of Speaker, Deputy Speaker and chairmen of various parliamentary committees were elected from among the deputies of Communist Party of Russia and Unity Party (which supports acting President Putin) and as a result small parties like Fatherland bloc, Union of Rightist Forces, Liberal Democratic Yabloko and Jhirinovsky bloc boycotted parliamentary meetings, the Russian envoy informed the audience.

The presidential election of Russia is slated for March 26. The election will be conducted on the basis of the law adopted on Dec. 3 last year, the envoy informed the gathering.

Replying to queries of journalists about former president Yeltsin, the envoy said that the former president could not rule the country effectively owing to his poor health and internal problems.

As regards the question of terrorism, Ivanov said that it is very easy to say that terrorism must be fought, but in reality to fight them decisively is a challenging task and needs sacrifices of the brave people.