The country had entered a democratic system of governance after the people's movement of 2046 BS ended the non-party Panchayat system. General elections had to be held in coordination with the Congress and Communist parties that were established as a result of the movement, the then king, and the Panchayats that had recently left power.

During the Panchayat system, Surya Prasad Shrestha was in charge of the Chief Election Commissioner. The interim government led by Krishna Prasad Bhattarai also trusted him.

The responsibility of holding the 2048 general election fell on Shrestha's shoulders. The country was just entering another political system after one political system was replaced. The first election after the political change was being held. Shrestha was credited with successfully conducting the election. Kantipur's Rajesh Mishra spoke to former Chief Election Commissioner Shrestha, who has been observing all the elections since then as an election observer, about the situation that arose after the Gen-G movement and the elections to the House of Representatives announced on 21 Falgun:

The elections are about to be held two years ago because the House of Representatives was dissolved. How do you analyze the current situation?

Now the elections are about to be held in an unusual situation. This kind of situation had not been seen before. Look at the 2015 election. It was the election after the revolution of 2007. The election was held seven/eight years after the revolution. The election of 48 was held after the people's movement. The election was held a year after the movement ended. The Constituent Assembly elections were held about 2 years after the 2062/63 people's movement. Other than that, elections are periodic.

There was political change even then. But the situation was not as dire as it is now. At that time, there were movements for a specific political objective. The 2007 revolution was to overthrow the Rana regime. The 46 BS movement was to remove the non-party Panchayat system. The main basis of the 2062/63 movement was a change in the form of governance and a republic.

The motivation factor in the current movement is. Why is it done to oppose corruption. The issue of corruption has been raised in all developed or underdeveloped countries. Whereas all the movements that have taken place before in Nepal are political. Now there has been so much destruction in the country over the issue of corruption. The state has gone to the extent of rebellion. It must be resolved. The development of the country cannot move forward while such activities are going on.

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– The role of those who sit in the government formed for the election should be independent and impartial

They say they will arrest. They say they will imprison. There are three months left for the election. At such times, the government needs to be patient.

– We should not try to add new things to the election system and procedure now. This is not the time to introduce new technologies or talk about voting for those abroad. Such things will only confuse those in the commission.

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Whatever the type of system, constitutional order is a must. When the constitutional system is destroyed, the country will be in serious crisis. Now the way to get the country on the right track is to go to a democratic system. The sovereign people must be remembered. There is no way without going on the path of democracy. The way to bring the country back on the path of the constitution is elections.

How do you feel about the election atmosphere at this time?

Politics is the one who creates the election atmosphere. The first aspect of this is the political parties. The second is the managerial aspect. The third is the security aspect. The President has cleverly said that he has brought the situation within the constitutional framework. The country has gone to the alternative of elections. The institutional structure has not deteriorated at all to prepare for the elections. The Election Commission has a capable institutional structure. Our commission is better than that of many Southeast Asian countries. The election method and system are better. The commission is capable of holding elections. A political environment is needed. The government's role is needed in that.

It is not enough to just listen to what they say about the government formed by Gen-G. The government belongs to the country. It belongs to everyone. The government's behavior should be for everyone. There should be a people's government, an independent government. Their independent role in elections is also very important. The role of those who sit in a government formed for elections should be independent and impartial. Political parties should also be able to realize that. It seems that the government is trying to some extent. However, some political parties have not been able to fully accept it.

What do you see as the next challenge for the elections?

There are some areas of challenge, such as political parties. The support and activism of the big parties, Congress and UML, are necessary. If they get political approval, the situation will be easier. If it goes into a conflict situation, there will be a problem. An investigation commission has been formed. They have said, "I will arrest you, I will imprison you." This adds challenges to the election environment. There are three months left for the election. At such a time, the government needs to be patient. The government should have the ability to manage the situation. Parliament, Supreme Court, Singha Durbar have been burned. There has been so much destruction in each district. Those involved in it should be brought to justice. There is a place to appease the people. However, if we continue to target only political parties, it cannot bring an environment of cooperation and coordination.

Next, social sites are now more powerful than weapons. The mainstream media is somewhat responsible and disciplined. But social media is being used for hate speech. That creates problems. How to make it responsible and accountable? Political parties should also make efforts for its proper use. The intra-party conflict on the eve of the election was not good.

Now it is up to the court. Whatever the court decides, the political parties will abide by it. The government will do the same. But the court has not interfered or obstructed it so far. In this situation, no stone should be left unturned in the preparation for the election. The main responsibility in this lies with the government.

What is your suggestion to the government?

The government should have been able to create an environment for the election by taking the media and political parties into confidence. The Election Commission should not have been allowed to interfere. The Commission has the capacity to hold free, fair and peaceful elections. We should not try to add new things to the election system and procedure now. This is not the time to introduce new technologies or talk about voting for those living abroad. Such things will confuse those in the Commission.

This election should be held within the existing system and procedure. It is not right to interfere and do this there, or directly elect the Prime Minister. Such things should not be brought. Those in the government should also explain the youth community well. They should face it. They should not agree to whatever they say, nor should they say they will not listen to anything. They should only do what they can. Gen-G should also be allowed to do what is possible. They should not be made ambitious and tampered with or pampered in matters that are not possible. The government is mature. The youth have also believed and sent those who have reached the age to the government.

The youth demand that Nepalis living abroad be given voting rights. The Supreme Court has also given a directive order to implement it. Isn't that what should be done?

If we do something new now, the election will not be held due to the deadline. Everyone should get the right to vote. There is no doubt about it. But is it possible to give Nepalis living abroad the right to vote now? That is something to consider. In my experience, time is very short now. The Election Commission cannot manage it. On the other hand, there is no accurate data on how many Nepalis are abroad and which countries they have reached. It is estimated that there are more than 6 million Nepalis living abroad.

Now, political parties that compete in the elections should also get an opportunity to present their views to those voters. The concerns of political parties should also be heard on this issue. Technical and managerial preparations are not something that can be done within the next three months. It is not right to put pressure on the Election Commission and say that it could not be done. It takes one to one and a half years for universally acceptable preparations. The capacity of the Commission itself should be increased for this.

There is a court order. If the government also asks for elections to include voters living abroad, can the commission back down?

It is not enough to just say do it. First, a law had to be made and given. The election date had to be postponed. It should be postponed for a year. It is not something that cannot be done. It takes time. If we try to do it now, it will hinder the elections. When the situation arises of having to postpone the elections, the legitimacy and existence of the government will be questioned again.

How prepared are the political parties for the elections?

There has been a kind of a tragic atmosphere surrounding the political parties. The houses of the leaders have been completely destroyed. The leaders have been chased away. Their property has been destroyed. There is still a tragic atmosphere. However, the parties are getting worried. The government should give them confidence and move forward. If we go towards increasing fear, the trust and relationship between the government and the parties will be damaged. After that damage occurs, the elections will not take place. Just like there was no election in Bangladesh. It seems like we are trying to take the election to a certain pace. In this situation, everyone should show coordination and peaceful behavior.