Prajatantra Diwas | Election Day

Background:
"Prajatantra Diwas" or National democracy day, this day holds a specific and significant value into Nepali calendar/ events. As a citizen of the peaceful land of Buddha's birthplace known also as a roof of this world, today I have decided to talk about the democracy and its meaning about which some of the most intelligent people seem confused.

Just imagine that we stepped into a time machine and we are transported/ teleported back 2500 years to ancient Greece. Sounds funny but the root of democracy is found there, primarily it means a mass governance, and decisions were taken on the basis of mass votes. Let me simplify, this process was almost like a referendum, this mass gathering was organized under uniform time and the decision of majority was carried out. Demos means people and Kratos means power, this is how today's democracy came up.

Specialties of Prajatantra Diwas, 2081 B.S, what happens today?
A main ceremony committee for National Democracy Day 2081 has been formed under the chairmanship of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. In a meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Singha Durbar, the proposal from the Ministry of Home Affairs was discussed and approved. The meeting decided to celebrate the day with grandeur by forming the main ceremony committee,

various subcommittees, and proposing different programs.
The main ceremony committee, formed under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, will include Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, and State Ministers, the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal, the Chief of Army Staff, the Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Secretaries of the Government of Nepal, high-ranking gazetted officers, the Chiefs of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the National Investigation Department, as well as the Mayors of municipalities within the Kathmandu Valley.
On the eve of Democracy Day, national flags of the prescribed size will be placed and decorated on the roofs, verandas and premises of all government agencies, institutions, associations, and offices, and in the evening, lamps will be lit in areas such as Mandala, Darbar Square and houses. Similarly, the government has decided to conduct a blood donation program in all districts with the help of government and non-government organizations, and to conduct a program to distribute suitable educational and sports materials to schools where students with different abilities study at the district level.

Remembering our martyrs
In the context of Nepal, a lot of Nepali brothers and sisters lost their life for this word and virtue "Democracy". This widely acknowledged political ruling system is probably the hardest to sustain and achieve, Nepal's democracy has an adventurous history of being established, snatched and reestablished. During the 1940's, the people and civil society of Nepal launched a movement against the autocratic family regime of Ranas and established democracy in 1951's. The historic day of "Falgun 7" is now nationally commemorated as National democracy day which is today.

Background of Nepali democracy
This was an unprecedented historical achievement in Nepali political history which was again snatched by the monarch in 1961's. The partyless panchayat system imposed by monarchs remained for 30 years when all parties were banned and the fundamental democratic rights of citizens were seized. Finally, democracy was restored through various movements and mass protests in 1990 and the monarchy was kept under the constitution. In the meantime, Maoists commenced people's revolution to combat the imperialist forces and establish an inclusive system, with the combined movement of other political forces and Maoists, a campaign was initiated against the autocratic steps of the monarch. This mass movement successfully abolished the monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal (The comprehensive peace accord 2006). Nepal has several painful memories and glorious twists in its path of democracy, today is a national day in remembering those incidents and assimilating the lessons. The term "New Nepal" refers to a new democratic system of Nepal, a newer Federal Republic Nepal of this century translates a glorious example of democracy and peace to this world.

Respect and honor to the heroes of democracy, may the power of people become stronger and intact. Today is also the day to analyze how much our government is able to acknowledge and assimilate the dream and efforts of people's movement and martyrs. Let's remember Janaandolans, freedom fighters, the struggle to dethrone Ranas and monarchs and also raise our voices against any form of undemocratic practices and institutional corruption happing in current times. Even today the institutional corruption and access to opportunities and justice are not equal, democracy cannot sustain when justice is delayed. May the triangular flag always show up firmly from the top of Everest, may the sun (Surya) and moon (Chandra) always bless Nepal.

Nirwachan Diwas
Do you know?
General elections were held in Nepal for the first time on Falgun 7, 2015 B.S. The election commission is going to celebrate the day of the commencement of the same general election as election day.

In the general election of 2015 B.S, Nepali Congress won two-thirds majority i.e. 74 seats. 16 political parties participated in that election.
When did the election day started?

Election Day has been celebrated since 2073 B.S, the year 2081 is the ninth edition of Election Day. This year's election day is going to be celebrated in a joyful atmosphere, commemorating the day when the election started on Falgun 7, 2015 B.S, for the first time in Nepal, and the adult Nepalis were able to exercise their right to vote.

Nepali elections held this year and the practice of ensuring democracy.
These days, this day is celebrated by conducting various programs and campaigns under the leadership of the Election Commission.
In particular, various campaigns and programs are conducted across the country today advocating for voter education and fair voting.


-Suyog Dhakal