Prachanda Current Electoral System Fuels Corruption, Demands Directly Elected Executive & Inclusive Reforms
19th July 2025, Kathmandu
Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and former Prime Minister, has strongly asserted that Nepal’s current electoral system is the fundamental “root of corruption.”
Prachanda Current Electoral System Fuels
This statement came today as the Nepal Voters’ Rights Forum submitted a memorandum to Prachanda at the Maoist Centre’s central office in Paris Danda, advocating for significant amendments and integration of electoral laws.
Upon receiving the Forum’s letter of concern, Chairman Prachanda reaffirmed the Maoist Centre’s consistent stance on the urgent need for comprehensive constitutional and electoral system reforms. He highlighted that his party has continuously advocated for necessary changes in the existing electoral framework.
Directly Elected Executive: A Solution to Corruption
Prachanda pinpointed the exorbitant costs associated with the current electoral process and the constitutional requirement for individuals to be Members of Parliament before ascending to ministerial or prime ministerial positions as key drivers of corruption. “When the water is muddy at the source, we cannot expect clean water from the tap,” Prachanda remarked, emphasizing his call for a directly elected executive system as a crucial step to cleanse the political landscape.
He further underscored the necessity for a fully inclusive and proportional representation system based on population. Such a system, he argued, would ensure fair and equitable participation from all diverse groups within the Nepalese population.
Beyond Memorandum: The Call for Movement
While acknowledging the positive nature of the issues raised by the Voters’ Rights Forum, Prachanda stressed that such vital demands cannot be fulfilled simply through submitting memorandums to political leaders. He explicitly stated, “Movements may be necessary to bring about change.”
Reiterating the Maoist Centre’s long-standing struggle for transformative change, Prachanda urged collective action: “The Maoist Centre has long been struggling for transformation, and such agendas can only be successful if we work together in campaigns for change.”
He concluded with a powerful message to the Voters’ Rights Forum: “This initiative by the Voters’ Rights Forum is a positive step. But change is not possible just by submitting demands and suggestions to leaders. If necessary, we are ready to take to the streets to establish the rights and agendas of the people. You should also be prepared for that.”
The memorandum presented by the Voters’ Rights Forum to Chairman Prachanda outlined several key demands, primarily focusing on electoral reform, ensuring truly inclusive representation, and safeguarding the fundamental rights of voters.
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