Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel has said that the election is the only option to protect the country, the people, democracy and the constitution.
Addressing an all-party meeting at the Office of the President on Friday, he urged all political parties to focus their attention on the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.
Representatives of different political parties, Prime Minister Sushila Karki and ministers of the interim government attended the meeting.
According to the President’s Press Adviser Kiran Pokharel, President Paudel advised the government to make necessary arrangements for peace and security and to assure the public that the elections will be held in a fair and fear-free environment.
Stating that safeguarding democracy is a shared responsibility, he said all sides should work together to ensure the elections are successfully conducted. He also called on political parties to clearly state if they have doubts or confusion during the meeting, warning that seeking alternatives to elections would only push the country toward uncertainty.
He also urged political parties not to create confusion among the public and to go to the people with the message that they are committed to addressing the concerns of the youth generation.
President Paudel also suggested that the government immediately address security concerns raised by political parties.
Leaders of the political parties, however, expressed doubts about whether elections could be held in a free and impartial atmosphere under the current security situation. They urged the government to dispel such doubts and ensure that the polls are conducted in a fair, independent and fear-free environment.
Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Karki said that the government is fully aware that elections cannot be held without the participation of political parties. She assured that the government would make adequate arrangements for peace and security to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
Nepali Congress Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka and General Secretary Gagan Thapa; CPN-UML Senior Vice Chairperson Ishwar Pokhrel and General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel; CPN (Maoist Center) leaders Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Barshaman Pun were present in the meeting.
Likewise, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Acting President DP Aryal and Deputy General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya; Rastriya Prajatantra Party Spokespersons Gyanendra Shahi and Mina Lama; CPN (Unified Socialist) Vice Chairperson Rajendra Pandey and General Secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal also attended the meeting.
Other participants included Renu Yadav from Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP); Bidyut Bajracharya and Prakash Adhikari from JSP (Nepal); CK Raut and Dr Jay Kant Raut from Janamat Party; Gyanendra Jha and Sarbendra Nath Shukla from Loktantrik Samajbadi Party; Resham Chaudhary from Nagarik Unmukti Party; and Sunil Prajapati from Nepal Workers and Peasants Party.
