Free and fair elections help check corruption: former President Yadav 

Texas: Former President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav has said that free and fair elections can help check corruption. Speaking at the 5th annual conference of America-Nepal policy research centre held virtually on Saturday, Dr. Yadav said that the impartiality of elections was associated with democratic procedures.

Pointing out the need for reforms in the electoral process, he urged all concerned parties to take elections seriously. “It is the responsibility of the parties to give life to the letters in the Constitution and work in the interest of the country and people,” he said. 

The first President of Nepal also emphasized the need for creative support of the Nepalis outside the country to make Nepal stronger and prosperous.

Also speaking at the programme, former Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokharel said that the role of the state, the situation of parties, the conduct of candidates and the conscious level of voters influence elections. Every electoral system has its weaknesses and strengths, and it is the actors who affect the system.

Member of the National Human Rights Commission Mohana Ansari said that it is unfortunate how elections, a medium of institutionalizing change, are becoming influenced by money, muscle and power.

The conference was also attended by Political scientist Krishna Khanal, economist Dr. Surendra Raj Devkota, journalist Yubaraj Ghimire and other speakers who called for collective efforts to put an end to the aberrations increasing in Nepali elections. Centre chair Dr. Rajan Pant presided over the programme.

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