Government committed to revive democratic process through elections: Rana 

February 13, 2006
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Shrish Shumser Rana (File Photo)

Shrish Shumser Rana (File Photo)
Minster of State for Information and Communications, Shrish Shumser Rana, has described the municipal polls as successful and said that the government is committed to hold parliamentary polls to revive democratic process.

Speaking at a press conference at the Department of Information on Monday, state minister Rana said that the election should not be analyzed on the basis of percentage of votes as the candidates filed their candidacy and voters made the courage to vote despite the life threats from the Maoists.

Stating that people came to cast vote despite the threats of Maoists to protect their rights, he urged people not to remain silent when their rights are violated.

State Minister Rana, who is also the spokesperson of the government, said people should ask the political parties, who boycotted the polls and created obstacles, on the low turnout.

Rana, who devoted most of the time in the one hour long press conference to express dissatisfaction over the activities of the seven political parties and to justify that the election as successful, further said that comments of the foreign countries regarding the validity of the election is a result of misinformation given to them by some national agencies.

Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Japan and the European Union have criticized the municipal polls, saying they would not recognize the results.

He urged the international communities to study the constitutional provisions of the country before commenting on such issues.

Coming down heavily on the mainstream political parties, Rana said that they are taking assistance from Maoists to try to make the government a failure. He questioned if political parties are serious about restoring peace in the country and bringing back democracy on track, why did they compel the Maoists to raise arms and not hold polls during their tenure, adding that the incumbent government was able to hold election despite the Maoist threats and active boycott of the mainstream political parties.

When asked about the low candidacy in the polls, Rana said it is not the duty of the government to ensure full participation and urged journalists to ask about it to those who created such environment.

“The government’s duty is to provide security in the polls and assist the Election Commission (EC), which the government had fulfilled effectively,” Rana added.

On the Maoist issue, Rana claimed that the government is always open for talks with the Maoists if they are ready to come to the mainstream of politics through democratic process and lay down their arms.

He strictly ruled out the possibility of election of the constituent assembly saying the present constitution does not have such provision.

He also claimed the security situation of the country has improved and corruption has decreased during the one year direct rule of the King.

He further said that His Majesty the King took the royal move on the basis of Article 127, the emergency provision of the constitution, not to grab power but to resolve the problems dogging the country.

“There is no Maoist territory in the country and they are not able to attack the security bases, though they are committing some incidents of violence,” Rana added. He however remained tight lipped on recent Maoist attacks in various districts.

Commenting on the recent interview of Maoist supremo Prachanda in some national and international media, state minister Rana said the statement is not clear and urged them to come to the democratic process if they are really serious about the country and people.

Rana was of the view that the publication of Maoist interviews and press statements in some mainstream media was proof of press freedom and the functioning of democracy in the country.

On the one window policy for the distribution of government’s advertisement, he said that the system was enforced for systematic distribution of advertisement. “After the enforcement of this policy, newspapers will be entitled the advertisement on the basis of classification of the Press Council Nepal, not the influence to the bureaucrat or ministers,” Rana added.