It is the government’s job to build an atmosphere for free and fair elections. To that end, the ceremonial president is playing an active role, too.

In recent weeks, President Ramchandra Paudel has organised a series of consultations with the prime minister, ministers, political party leaders, heads of security agencies, representatives of the Gen Z movement that ousted the KP Sharma Oli-led coalition government, as well as with civil society members.

On Saturday, Paudel, alongside Prime Minister of the interim government Sushila Karki, consulted ministers and heads of all four security agencies, with an aim to lay the groundwork for free and fair elections.

The President instructed the heads of the government and security agencies to work to build confidence in the public and political parties that the electoral process will be credible, the President's Office said in a statement.

In the meeting, according to the President’s press adviser Kiran Pokharel, Paudel directed the security agencies to act “boldly” to maintain order and peace and to ensure that the snap polls are held in an environment free of fear. He also demanded immediate recovery of looted weapons and re-arrest of prisoners who had escaped amid the chaos of the September 8-9 youth uprising.

Chief adviser to the prime minister Ajaya Bhadra Khanal cited heads of security agencies stating that they had successfully conducted the elections to the constituent assembly under an even more difficult situation in 2008, when the Maoist insurgents had just come above ground.

The government is also going to provide logistical and other necessary support to the Election Commission and security agencies in view of the elections, said Khanal.

As soon as the government was formed, it was the prime minister who requested the President to create an environment for talks with different stakeholders. Accordingly, the President held consultations with political party leaders and Gen Z representatives, he added.

Saturday’s meeting was called by the President. But the prime minister is also consulting political leaders unofficially. “The process of engaging with party leaders will begin soon,” Khanal said.

In Saturday’s meeting, Karki assured the government’s full effort for free and fair elections. She added that the interim administration is ready to provide all necessary resources to security agencies.

According to an aide to the President, as soon as the Karki government was formed in the second week of September, she sought the President’s help in creating the environment for elections. The President then consulted other stakeholders.

Paudel held consultations with political parties, Gen Z representatives and security agencies in phases, with the prime minister and Cabinet members by his side, the aide said. Otherwise, the President has no interest in interfering in the government’s matter and is aware of his constitutional duties and role, the aide clarified.

In the meeting on Saturday, the heads of Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the National Investigation Department assured the President of their readiness and capacity to maintain law and order and to conduct elections.

Besides Prime Minister Karki, all ministers (except Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal), Chief of Army Staff Ashok Sigdel, Inspector General of Police Chandra Kuber Khapung, Armed Police Force IGP Raju Aryal, and National Investigation Department chief Tekendra Karki were present at Sheetal Niwas.

Prime Minister Karki and Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal stressed that the needed resources for security arrangements were being provided. The prime minister also shared updates on her dialogue with various political parties.

“In the presence of Paudel, the home minister, and other ministers, we held a serious discussion today at Sheetal Niwas with the heads of all four security agencies regarding election preparations and the security situation,” Karki wrote on X. Ongoing efforts to create an election-friendly environment were reviewed, she stated.

“All security chiefs expressed their readiness to make security arrangements... Initiatives have been taken at the political level to create a conducive environment for the elections. Dialogue has begun with political parties. There has been satisfactory progress towards conducting the House of Representatives elections on March 5…. Let us all remain responsible and united to successfully conduct the elections for a smooth political resolution,” writes Karki.

On Saturday, the President also held an interaction with civil society representatives.

During the discussion, Paudel emphasised the need for an active involvement of the civil society in order to tide over the current political transition, meet the expectations following the Gen Z movement, and to capture the youth sentiment.

One civil society leader, Geja Sharma Wagle, said the President highlighted the responsibility of civil society to help government and political parties in conducting timely elections.

Paudel is said to have expressed his unhappiness at the CPN-UML’s decision not to take part in the elections. (A central committee meeting of the UML decided to opt out of the scheduled polls.)

The civil society has a major role in bringing the constitution back on track, holding political parties accountable, and creating an environment for the government to act with respect for the public sentiment and aspirations of the younger generation, Paudel reportedly told the representatives.

Civil society figures Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Lokraj Baral, Krishna Khanal, Hari Sharma, Geja Sharma Wagle, Indra Adhikari, Muma Ram Khanal, Keshav Dahal, Tula Narayan Sah, Kosmos Bishwokarma, and Uddhav Pyakurel provided their inputs to the head of state.

They put forth their views on the current political situation, the responsibilities of the government and political parties, and the expectations following the Gen Z movement.

They pledged to stay vigilant in ensuring fair elections, good governance, and accountable leadership so that the democratic system is strengthened.

President Paudel urged civil society to act as a “bridge between the government and the people” in order to ensure political stability, adding that the strength of democracy lies in an aware and active citizenry.