KATHMANDU, Feb 7: National Assembly lawmakers have cast doubt on whether the upcoming elections can be held in a fear-free environment, saying that escaped prisoners and weapons looted during the Gen Z protests have yet to be recovered.
Anand Prasad Dhungana said that while the Gen Z movement raised valid issues, attempts were also made to destabilise the country in its name. Stressing that elections are the only way to move the nation out of uncertainty, he warned of possible efforts to disrupt the polls.
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Meanwhile, Ganga Kumari Belbase urged political parties to prioritise economic prosperity, social justice and good governance in their election manifestos, including commitments to poverty reduction, employment generation, accessible health care and education, price control, and ending black-marketing and cartels.
Speaking during a special session of the Upper House on Friday, Jayanti Devi Rai said the authorities’ failure to bring fugitives under control and retrieve the looted arms has raised serious concerns over the prospects of free and fair polls. She noted that the protests stemmed from longstanding issues such as corruption, weak governance and poor service delivery.
Lawmaker Rukmini Koirala said the demands raised by Gen Z youth were legitimate, but infiltration into the protests led to casualties among schoolchildren and security personnel. She said the public is anxious about whether the February 21 election can be held peacefully. “Prisoners are still at large and weapons remain unrecovered—there is little ground for confidence in a peaceful poll,” she said.
Maya Prasad Sharma accused the government of failing to implement recommendations to address resettlement problems in earthquake-affected districts, including Jajarkot, Rukum West and Salyan. She said many victims are still living in temporary shelters and that reconstruction has been delayed. She also alleged slow progress in strategic projects such as the Mahakali Corridor and the Mid-Hill Highway.
