11 A. Election

An election is the institutionalised procedure by which a defined body of voters chooses holders of public office, at fixed intervals, under prescribed rules — democracy's core mechanism for making government accountable and legitimate ("free and fair elections" as the sine qua non — ICCPR Art. 25; a people's right under Art. 21 UDHR). The five criteria of a free and fair election (the international standard): 1. Universal suffrage (every adult citizen — Nepal: 18 years, Art. 84(5)); 2. Equal suffrage (one person, one vote, one value — constituencies as equal as possible); 3. Secret ballot (Nepal: Art. 84(4) — constitutionally mandated); 4. Direct election (or a clearly authorised indirect rule, e.g., the National Assembly and President); 5. Periodic elections (fixed terms — HoR 5 years, Art. 85; local bodies 5 years). Supporting conditions: an independent election authority; free expression, association and assembly (Arts. 17, 19); impartial administration and security; credible dispute resolution (election petitions; the Election Commission's final decision on candidate legitimacy — Art. 246(3); Constitutional Bench for election disputes of members — Art. 137).