Integrated laws necessary for systematic, modern electoral systems: Bhandari

Kathmandu, April 30: Acting Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission, Ram Prasad Bhandari, has stressed the need of bringing integrated laws to make country's electoral systems more systematic and modern. 

He said so at a programme organised by the Nepal Election Observation Committee to unveil the final observation report of 'House of Representatives Members Election 2082'.

Noting that the Commission had framed the integrated bills to displace seven different Acts three years ago, Acting Chief Election Commissioner Bhandari underscored necessity to incorporate issues like e- voting, ensuring voting rights to Nepali citizens living abroad and enter-province voting. 

He drew attention of the people's representatives to be serious towards law making, adding, "Though the EC is not a law drafting body, we have prepared a bill to resolve issues seen in practice."

The upcoming 2084 elections would be held in the same pattern and no improvement would be possible if the bill is not passed from coming budget session, he argued. 

He shared that out of Rs 625 million budget earmarked by the government for the recently held HoR election, around Rs 175 million budget was spent in the election and the remaining budget would be returned to the government treasury soon. (RSS)