‘Dissolving the Provincial Assembly Does Not Mean the Province’s Justification Has Ended’

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) recently concluded its inaugural general convention and elected a new working committee. The party has yet to finalize nominations for some positions. An interview regarding the documents passed and procedural matters at the convention with Ram Gurung, Deputy Chief of the Raswapa Central Election Commission, conducted by Durga Khanal:

You have completed Raswapa’s first general convention. Are there still procedural tasks remaining for the election, or is everything finished?

We successfully completed the technical aspects of the election, including making party members into convention delegates, registering voters, and electing central committee officials. What remains is preparing the documentation and maintaining records. We are also preparing to submit a report to the Election Commission.

The opening day was enthusiastic, but why did the subsequent process take so long? What was happening inside?

I led the team responsible for completing the election; however, external activities seemed limited. We realized fatigue due to the heat and difficult environment affected everyone. This election was not purely technical but political as well. Delegates came with political expectations, so we had to work hard to ensure inclusive participation. With only two months allotted, there were times we needed to revisit delegates to strengthen the process.

The party president was elected unopposed, but why wasn’t the delegate number finalized?

The numbers were finalized, though some misinformation circulated externally. Over 4,000 people registered as delegates. Ensuring timely voting for all took time, especially during the verification process. I apologize to members outside who experienced inconvenience.

There were allegations that the ballots were not arranged properly, affecting votes. What happened?

This was a purely technical issue without any bias or malintent. Initially, registrations took place at one desk, causing crowding, so the process was divided between two locations. This made aligning names across both voter lists challenging. We resolved to treat all candidates equally. Candidates might interpret this differently, but fairness was the goal.

Was any smart technology used?

No digital options were available; everything was recorded manually on paper. Duplicate names appearing in two registration books made ordering difficult.

Some candidates complained that their votes were missing. What was the cause?

During the announcement of results, I missed a few names. There was no flaw in the system. I was fatigued and could not give full attention. The team had been working continuously for 72 hours with little rest.

The ‘no vote’ option was advocated but not implemented. Why?

We failed to adequately explain it to voters. Conceptually, we divided the ballots, but because the paper ballots included a ‘no vote’ option, inclusivity was affected. That is why this convention was postponed only once. The e-voting machines had technical faults causing ‘double skip’ problems, prompting a resolution to reconsider the process.

There were claims that voters were forced due to no option to skip candidates. Is this true?

That is not the case. There were 384 candidates contesting, with multi-choice names on ballots. There was no coercion. The claim is not logical.

Voter turnout declined in the second phase. Does this weaken the legitimacy of elected officials?

It’s not only about percentages but also the commitment of those who remained through the end. Conducting the first phase successfully and proceeding to the second was a major achievement.

Documents were passed in just 10 minutes at the convention. Is this unusual?

Those documents had been previously discussed at various levels. Approving them by applause signifies full faith in leadership. This is a new political culture and not authoritarian. Internal reviews will always continue.

If delegates did not have open discussions, can this be considered democratic?

This must be viewed both in theory and in practice. Raswapa is a mass-based party with well-connected and culturally united delegates. The convention agenda had sufficient time allocated for discussions. Passing documents is not the end; internal assessments are ongoing.

What is the party’s stance on the provincial assembly dissolution and federalism model?

Dr. Swarnim Wagleyju has proposed dissolving provincial assemblies, but this does not mean the provinces have lost their justification. The move signals the need for restructuring due to high expenses and inefficiency. The provincial assembly is an entity but has become a center of procedural distortion. Dissolution means review and reform discussions, not abolishing the provinces.

Federalism’s constitutional foundation is linked to social identity. How does focusing on costs address this?

Economic development is inseparable from identity and social factors. State policies must ensure justice for disadvantaged and marginalized communities. Identity and economic transformation are interlinked. Economic considerations will be central in federalism’s review, but identity issues will not be ignored. Dissolving the provincial assembly doesn’t mean negating the province itself.

Without provincial assemblies, how will the executive be chosen, what about council concepts and democracy?

The council is currently an academic and potential alternative under discussion. The constitution envisages three tiers of autonomous government. Dissolving assemblies is a proposal to start discussions, not a final decision.

Full proportional representation and directly elected executives have been proposed, suggesting a two-thirds strong government. Why does Raswapa advocate for directly elected executives?

This debate is ongoing. The idea of a directly elected president aims to make the government an impartial guardian and facilitate better service to the people.

Democratic processes can also produce powerful dictatorships, as exemplified by the Gen Jy movement. Is there no fear that directly elected leaders could become more authoritarian?

Doubts remain. However, fear of tyranny shouldn’t halt the discussion on strong systems. Constitutions must include checks and balances to prevent abuse. It also allows for constitutional review.

Raswapa seeks to adopt social democracy. What does that entail?

Social democracy combines socialism and democracy to ensure just resource distribution and promote inclusivity. The state must provide services, health, education, and opportunities equitably. The economy also remains open to new directions.

There are concerns about setbacks in social justice. How will the party address these?

There is no need for such concern. Reservations and inclusivity are separate arrangements based on historical necessity. They will be periodically reviewed, but significant communities still need representation. Continuous review of inclusivity to align with merit is essential.

The party includes members from diverse backgrounds. Can the convention unify these varied voices?

Yes, it has. The length of the convention allowed efforts to incorporate differing views and opinions. No factions or sub-factions emerged during the central committee or official elections. Votes reflected individual capabilities.

You deny factionalism, but some leaders openly endorsed candidates. Why?

Supporting candidates in a democratic process is not factionalism; it is moral support. The competition was personal, and ideological diversity was more apparent.

Ninety-nine central members were elected, but why are many nominations allowed?

The party is new, formed just months ago by uniting groups from various sectors. Nominated positions help honor all contributors. It’s not comparable to older parties.

What positive message did the first general convention send? What was your experience?

I take all experiences as learning. Understanding political psychology helped in handling technical work. The convention gave the party legitimacy and a stronger platform. Responsibility among leaders and activists increased. Membership expanded across the country.

There is room for minor improvements. We are advancing necessary reforms and plans, improving coordination in elections and campaigns. We plan to have sufficient intervals for upcoming conventions to facilitate smoother processes.