Path to democracy shrouded in fog

An unelected government should not last long. This government must hold free, fair and timely elections to bring an elected one.

- CHANDRAKISHORE

For this, the incumbent government must feel the pressure to transfer power to the elected government. Though this sounds simple and straightforward, reality is far from it. Even now, the current Nepal administrations ringtone on mobile phones blares notices and updates meant fora general election. However, the government’s own commitment to holding polls, and the enthusiasm of parties registered with the Election Commission, will decide the outcome. At the same time, we must look at the obstacles blocking a conducive atmosphere for elections. Honest effort from the governmentis essential to guarantee free and fair polls.

Whatever may later be judged right or wrong, at this moment there is agovernmentled by Sushila Karki. After the Gen-Z uprising, challenges are thickening by the day. These challenges belong to Nepali society as a whole. Unless society openly discusses, confronts and reforms the faults within itself, we will remain travellers lost ina dark tunnel. Nepal is neither Bangladesh nor Sri Lanka; ithas its own unique history of social and economic evolution. Here, repeated democratic movements have tried to empower the people. Yet the conditions that would truly strengthen citizens keep slipping into jeopardy. Political instability is now spilling over into social, economic, environmental, and geopolitical spheres.