There are only four months left for the House of Representatives elections. The government and the Election Commission are already busy preparing for the elections. Although the main political parties have been focused on the party convention and the unity process for some time now, they are internally turning towards the elections. The civilian government formed under the leadership of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki after the Gen-G movement has been given the main 'mandate' to hold elections for the House of Representatives. The elections have been announced on 21 Falgun on the recommendation of the government.

Although political parties are expressing doubts about the election environment, the government has urged people not to be suspicious as its main 'mandate' is to hold the election.

Law Minister Anil Kumar Sinha has said that there is no need to express doubts about the election being held on the scheduled date. A conversation with Minister Sinha about the work being done by the government regarding the preparations for the election: 

There is confusion as to whether or not the election will be held on 21 Falgun, right? 

This is a civilian government formed after the incidents of 23 and 24 Bhadra. This government has an obligation to work in three areas. These things are also mentioned in the statement issued by the President, in which the main 'mandate' is to hold the election to the House of Representatives within six months.

The first responsibility is to ensure peace and security for the time being and make the people feel safe. The second is to fulfill the assigned responsibility of holding the election on 21 Falgun. The third responsibility is to take steps against corruption and to maintain good governance taken by Gen-G. Some parties have accepted that there is no alternative but elections, while others still do not seem to accept it.

Some of the main political parties seem to have demanded the restoration of the parliament. But this dispute is in court. Since the court has not heard the verdict, we cannot take a stand on it. We will also accept the decision of the court tomorrow. If the restoration was done in the then situation, the government will also accept it. However, we cannot argue against the election because it did not happen right now. If the court does not restore it, then elections should be held, and preparations should be made for it. This is why the government has started dialogue with the parties. Similarly, earlier there were many groups of Gen-G and many things. Now they have also started coming saying that there is no alternative to elections. They have started understanding that the need to amend the constitution can only be done after a new election.  

How is the coordination between the government and the Election Commission? 

  The government is also discussing with the parties along with the preparations for the election. The Ministry of Finance has been in constant dialogue on the issue of providing the necessary budget, from manpower to finance, to the commission. The commission has given a 'ceiling', and the Ministry of Finance will take a decision on it in a few days. The government has guaranteed that there will be no budget shortfall. The government has also given authority to the commission in terms of resources and manpower. If any assistance is required in terms of resources, it is prepared to seek assistance from friendly countries and donor agencies, as it has been done before.

Some laws have been amended for the elections. Are other laws being amended? The posts of commissioners are also vacant, no appointments will be made? 

 We had to amend one law for the elections, and we did that through an ordinance. The work of preparing the voter list is currently underway. Apart from that, there is no need to amend anything else. If the Election Commission recommends amending any law, the option is open. There are two commissioners vacant in the commission. The post of chief commissioner and one commissioner is vacant. However, the government is not moving ahead with the appointment to these posts immediately. There are many legal obstacles for the appointment.  

The parties have complained that there is no security, right? 

 If the government creates a security environment, the parties will directly benefit from it. Minor incidents happen sometimes, but not always. You can't always run away from the elections by showing them. There is no need to worry about security. It doesn't seem like there is insecurity to the point of not being able to participate in the elections at all. The election environment has been well prepared, now the parties should also be able to present themselves to the public. The government is working on the election preparations. 

The government claimed that all preparations have been started, but there is still talk among the common people about whether the elections will be held on 21 Falgun, right? 

We are firm that the elections will be held on 21 Falgun and that power must be handed over to the new government as soon as possible. We are not in favor of extending the government's life. Therefore, I urge you not to be suspicious. It has been heard that some parties have said that there is no option to go to the elections from the leadership level, but there is still a situation where the top leadership of some parties has not accepted it. This is not the reason to be suspicious. However, we understand that those who have opposed and said that the elections will not be held, they are the ones who have internally prepared for the elections. We will work continuously, the elections will be held on the scheduled date.