Media urged to play role of 'watch dog'

By Our Correspondent 

Nepalgunj, Oct. 21: Election Commissioner Dr. Janaki Kumari Tuladhar has asked the media to play the role of the 'watch dog' to prevent violation of election code of conduct.

“Like in the previous elections, this time too, the Election Commission has been looking for the continuation of the impartial role of the media,” Dr. Tuladhar said while speaking at a media orientation programme organised by the Election Commission (EC) in Nepalgunj on Thursday.  Dr. Tuladhar said that media’s role is very important and responsible during the elections.

She mentioned that the EC had launched voter’s education programme to reduce the number of invalid votes. 

Stating that  implementation of the code of conduct is challenging, Dr. Tuladhar said that the information received from the media would prove to be a milestone for the EC to implement the code of conduct.  

She also asked the media to report the news in a balanced manner.

Chief District Officer of Banke Surya Bahadur Khatri appreciated the role played by journalists and media in Banke in the May 13 local poll and expressed hope that the media would play similar roles in the next election as well.

Chief Returning Officer and District Judge of Banke Dhan Singh Mahara said that they were committed to hold the election in a free, fair and fearless manner.