EC reminds parties of election code

By Arpana Adhikari  Kathmandu, May 3: The Election Commission has once again reminded the political parties and candidates to fully abide by the election code of conduct.  The EC on Monday issued a press statement reminding the political parties of several provisions of the code of conduct. 

 Stating that it has paid attention to the electoral campaign materials displayed in public places, EC has directed the political parties and candidates to remove such materials immediately from the public places. 

The poll body reminded the parties and candidates of the election code provisions that prohibited parties, cadres, candidates and supporters from displaying flags with party or candidate’s election symbol, digital boards, flex boards, glow sign boards, or use of audio-visual materials in public places during electoral campaign. 

The election code of conduct, however, allows candidates to use 3X3 square feet party flags and symbols at their offices. The measures are aimed at preventing unnecessary expenditure.

The EC has instructed that if any political party, candidate, election representative or any person is found to have used election materials such as posters, graffiti, posters, banners and digital boards going against the poll code, they should be removed immediately and to keep such a place intact.

The EC implemented the poll code of conduct since April 8 to hold the local poll in clean, fair, transparent and fearless manner. 

However, the political parties and candidates are often found ignoring the poll code and take it less seriously. 

EC Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel said that the EC reminded political parties of the poll code provisions so as to ensure that they fully abide by them. 

The commission further reminded that the parties, candidates, individuals, organizations, or concerned parties going against the poll code will be liable to fine of up to Rs. 100,000. 

The EC has reminded that the commission is even authorised to scrap the candidacy for failure to follow the code of conduct. 

13.2 million ballot papers for 64 districts dispatched  

The EC has said that 13.2 million ballot papers have been transported for 64 districts for May 13 local poll. 

Assistant Spokesperson Surya Prasad Aryal informed that the ballot papers were yet to be supplied to some districts of Madhes and Bagmati Province.

EC draws attention to warning of internet service providers

The EC has expressed serious concern to the warning given by the Internet Service Providers Association, Nepal that the internet service may 

be disrupted as the election date is approaching. Stating that information and technology, easy and continuous access to the Internet has become a basic need of the citizens, the EC has directed  the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the concerned stakeholders  to ensure that this  does not happen during the local level election taking place across the country. 

170 wards won’t have Dalit women representatives, 353 candidates elected unopposed

 Dealing a blow to the principle of social inclusion, 170 wards of various local governments across the country will not have Dalit women representatives for the next five years. 

According to the data revealed by the EC, no Dalit women filed their candidacy for the ward membership in 170 wards across the country, including some mountainous districts and Kathmandu Valley, during the time allocated to file candidacy. 

As per the existing law, one of four ward members is reserved for a Dalit woman in each ward.

EC assistant Spokesperson Aryal said a total of 353 candidates were elected unopposed in various posts of local governments, as there were single nominations for 353 posts in the local bodies. EC seeks clarification from 45 organisations 

The EC has sought clarification from 45 organiastions, including Women Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC), that had issued a press statement demanding action against Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) mayoral candidate Keshav Sthapit. 

The commission has demanded for an answer from those organizations saying that the words used by those organisations while demanding action against mayoral candidate Sthapit were against the election code of conduct.

The clause (a) of Article 11 of the election code of conduct also stipulates that non-governmental or private organizations and officials and employees affiliated with such organizations shall not campaign for or against a political party or candidate, said Aryal. 

The commission has directed the organisation to remove the press release as soon as possible and submit clarification within 24 hours along with evidence.

Similarly, the EC has also paid its attention to the controversial statement of CPN-UML’s KMC’s mayoral candidate Keshav Sthapit in response to a woman in public event and asked to submit details of the event within 24 hours.