PM Karki's briefing to diplomats
Kathmandu, Oct. 17
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that
holding election to the House of Representatives (HoR) is the sole and
non-negotiable mandate the government is pursuing.
“This non-political,
transitional government has one sole and non-negotiable mandate:
to hold free, fair, and impartial general elections to the House of
Representatives on March 5, 2026,” she said at a
briefing to the Kathmandu-based diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MoFA) on Friday. PM Karki is also
looking after the Foreign Ministry.
Stating that the government is committed to a maximum six-month term, after
which they will peacefully hand over power to a democratically elected
government, she said that current priority is internal stability.
“We
are not here to pursue a political agenda, but to pave the way for a
new, legitimate one. We will serve as a neutral buffer that guarantees a
predictable and secure environment for the democratic process,” she maintained.
According to her, the
government is fully engaged in all preparatory works and the state's resources
are being directed toward creating the necessary conditions—security, legal
frameworks, and logistical preparation—for a credible election.
“We are empowering the
Election Commission, improving security and holding
dialogues with all political parties and stakeholders, including
the Gen-Z representatives,” said PM Karki, adding that the government is also
exploring the possibility of an external voting system to
progressively realise the principle of universal suffrage for Nepali nationals
temporarily living abroad.
As in previous
elections, international observation will continue to play an important role in
upholding the transparency and credibility of this historic democratic
exercise.
PM Karki expected
political parties to constructively engage with the new generation.
Likewise, she stated
that the government uncovered not only the massive challenges of corruption and
misrules in our systems but also the immense potential for reform. This is
indeed the moment to rebuild trust, strengthen institutions and steer
governance toward greater transparency and better public service.
PM Karki reiterated
that her government embodies the people’s overwhelming demand for integrity and the rule of law. She also
claimed that the government is determined to set the highest possible benchmark
in governance performance, aiming to demonstrate that the government can indeed
deliver efficiently, transparently, and responsively.
“We are taking
immediate steps to ensure accountability for the past and present. We have
constituted a Judicial Inquiry Commission with a clear mandate to
ascertain facts and examine underlying causes of the recent violence,” she
stated. Furthermore, the government is also taking immediate steps to launch
credible, impartial investigations into allegations of high-profile corruption,
demonstrating that no one is above the law.
According to PM Karki,
the national budget to promote transparency and close avenues for misuse of
public funds and have opened files to prosecute entrenched corruption. A series
of policy reforms has been carried out to boost the private sector,
recognising it as the key engine of economic growth and job creation.
“These steps are just
the beginning. Economic and political reforms are not just the demands of the
Gen-Z, but the aspirations of every Nepali citizen,” PM Karki stated.
Stating that while
focusing on elections, Nepal must also manage the immediate post-crisis
economic recovery, she appreciated international support to restore business
confidence, and to address the consequences of the infrastructure damage, and
ensure the basic functioning of essential public services until the new
government takes office.
She also sought
support of the development partners in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of
infrastructure damaged during the movement are urgent.
“Nepal stands at a
critical juncture as we prepare to graduate from the LDC status next
year. The road ahead may be difficult, but we are determined to make our
graduation smooth, irreversible, and sustainable,” PM Karki said.
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