Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya has said the political parties should be self-directed in abiding by the constitution and the laws as it is they that have to be the most accountable to the people.

He said this while addressing the interaction programme on ‘Effective Legal System and Monitoring of Political Parties’ organized by the Election Observation Committee (EOC) Nepal here on Wednesday. CEC Thapaliya argued that there was no need for the debate for regulation if all complied with the laws and the rules of the game. “Is it necessary that someone or some organisations from outside have to tell the political parties that teach about good governance and discipline to others, to do this or that, or is it that the political parties themselves should be self-directed and make self-assessment on this subject,” he wondered.

He stressed on the need of considering the overall management, regulation and monitoring system of the political parties from an altogether new perspective, saying the Election Commission has been strictly observing the inclusive, women participation and auditing system of the political parties. As he said, the Commission has received highest number of complaints against the political parties that have made self-declaration in their statutes that they would not distribute party membership in violation of the provisions made in the related Act. On the occasion, former chairperson of Nepal Law Commission, Madhav Paudel presented a paper on legal provisions related to regulation and monitoring of political parties and the role of the Election Commission.

He said democracy cannot become stronger without the meaningful participation of the political parties. Paudel also reminded that the constitution has recognized the Election Commission as an autonomous and independent body with the power of regulating and monitoring the political parties. EOC Nepal Chair Pradip Pokharel said challenges have been faced in maintaining good governance as the elections have become expensive. He also urged the political parties to be more accountable and transparent regarding issues like the property of the party leaders and members