Election Commission issues 27-point directive;  President suggests EC officials to focus on timely elections

Kathmandu / Oct 14: The Election Commission has decided to issue a 27-point directive to the Government of Nepal to make necessary arrangement in connection with the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly election scheduled for coming November 26 and December 7.

A meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhi Prasad Yadav took the decision to communicate to the government through the Chief Secretary for implementation of the directives, according to EC Spokesperson Nawaraj Dhakal.

The directives related to the government, security arrangement, officials and other matters. The directives calls upon the government and its subordinate bodies to immediately implement with high priority all the communications received from the commission in connection with the election.

The EC has directed the government to ensure complete enforcement of the election code of conduct by all its subordinate bodies and take action against those violating it. It has also been asked to send within a week from receiving the directives all updated and factual details of the office-bearers and teachers in government agencies and schools to the respective district election office.

It has also sought all kinds of support including staff, furniture, transportation facilities, publicity of election-related information from the government media including Rastriya Samachar Samiti, and the required human and financial resource.

The EC has also directed the government to stop all academic activities in the schools where election is taking place for the election day and rebuilding and renovate the school buildings where necessary, said EC spokesperson Dhakal.

On security

As per the decision, the EC would ask the government for making arrangements to ensure wireless, telephone, fax and other communication tools and services in operational conditions if the materials of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal, Nepal Telecom, private telecommunications service providers and development agencies were to be repaired.

Likewise, the EC would direct the government for reliable security provision in all offices of EC for the security of elections materials and while transporting the election materials and all other activities.

The EC would ask the government to keep the persons of criminal characters under vigilance of the Nepal Police and completely impose a ban on illegal sale and distribution of the alcohol and alcoholic contents.

Furthermore, the prime minister is supposed to take preapproval from the EC if the PM was to use the government helicopter for government works and private ones during the political mission.

The ministers can use the government vehicles in government works and private vehicles in political activities after taking a nod from the EC adding that the lawmakers would be barred from using the government vehicles during the election publicity campaign of any political party and candidate.

The EC would also direct the government for the provision not to conduct the elections in universities, school management committee and other professional organizations, except the prescheduled ones.

Likewise, the EC would direct the government to give continuity to the regular recruitment process initiated themselves by the Public Service Commission, Teachers Service Commission, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force Service Commission, Nepal Army recruitment selection and Judicial Service Commission.(RSS)

President suggests EC officials to focus on timely elections

Meanwhilem the Election Commission (EC) officials Saturday called on President Bidya Devi Bhandari at the Rastrapati Bhawan, Shital Niwas.

On the occasion, the Head-of-the-State suggested the EC officials for the focus on holding the upcoming elections on time without being influenced by the political developments in the country as the political atmosphere was itself fluid, according to EC Spokesperson Nawaraj Dhakal.

The President was briefed on the EC’s preparations for holding the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies in a free, fair and peaceful atmosphere. The President wished that both elections may take place on the scheduled dates.

Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav apprised the President that with the announcement of election dates, the required regulations, directives and working procedures relating to the elections had been prepared and the works relating to management of election materials were going on in full swing.

Election Commissioners Ila Sharma, Narendra Dahal, Ishwari Poudyal, Sudhir Kumar Shah and secretary Begendra Raj Sharma Poudyal were present in the meeting. (RSS)