CEC Thapaliya urges media to ensure credibility in election news

By TRN Online, Chitwan, Nov 11: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya has urged mass media to energise the voters for the elections of November 20.

As elections of the House of Representation (HoR) and Provincial Assembly (PA) members have come closer, CEC Thapaliya appealed to all to convey a positive message about election by focusing on how to cast vote in the poll.

Meanwhile, RSS add that inaugurating an event on ‘election news and media orientation' organised here today by the Gorkhapatra Corporation, Thapaliya said, “It is the duty of journalists to disseminate fact-based news during the elections. They are also responsible for spreading the message that elections are meant to develop a future course of the State for the next five years by keeping the national unity intact."

He asserted that the dissemination of authentic news about election activities and vote counts. News reporting should focus on the operation of voters' education, and the issues of inclusive, gender and disabled people-friendly polling places and stations while abiding by the direction of the Election Commission, he added.

The Chief Election Commissioner urged media persons to reach the polling stations, centres and among the people for the coverage of election news. "We all should keep our disciplines and follow the election code of conduct. News about the incidents of the violation of the code of conduct should come out. Such news should be disseminated, the ones that would help create a favourable climate wherein citizens feel safe, and feel that it is their right and responsibility to help organise polls in a peaceful way."

According to him, election preparations have neared the final phase and the media is expected to report whether employees deployed for the elections and election materials reached the assigned station by the evening of November 17.

The Chief Election Commissioner took time to say that election candidates were expected to seek votes based on the election manifesto of their respective parties, principles, ideologies and the accepted norms and values in a multiparty system. They should not dole out promises of development activities that fall in the sphere of the local level. “The election process is still yet to be transformed.”

Gorkhapatra Corporation’s Executive Chair Bishnu Prasad Subedi was of the view that even minor misinformation in regard to the election would have implications on the gravity and sensitivity of the election procedures and impact on the voter’s psychology. “Sensitivity must be there in the dissemination of election news.”

On the occasion, Chitwan’s Chief Election Officer Ritenrdra Thapa and Chief District Officer Asman Tamang talked about the election preparations and the status of the implementation of the Election Code of Conduct in the district.

Gorkhapatra Corporation’s general manager Lal Bahadur Airi has said that the Gorkhapatra is the state-owned media and it is equally responsible for contributing to the creation of an atmosphere conducive to holding the elections in a free and peaceful atmosphere.