EC holds discussion with Attorney General; Rs 7 billion released for local level infrastructure, office operation

Kathmandu / March 15: Commissioners of the Election Commission including Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhi Prasad Yadav held discussion with Attorney General, Raman Kumar Shrestha, and Deputy Attorney General, Kiran Poudel, regarding election symbol and order of precedence of the parties participating in the election.

During the meeting held at EC Office on Wednesday, Attorney General Shrestha said though the lawmakers of parties representing in the Legislature-Parliament have formed a new party, the old party already having registration from the EC would get the election symbol.

He further said that the order of precedence of the parties would be maintained in the ballot paper as per the Local Level Election Act-2073 BS.

The Attorney General also briefed the EC about a legal provision that the unified party would get recognition in the election if merger took place.

Also present on the occasion were EC Commissioners—Ila Sharma, Narendra Dahal, Ishowri Poudyal and Sudhir Kumar Shah – and Secretary Gopinath Mainali, among others.

Rs 7 billion released for local level infrastructure, office operation

Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry has released Rs 7.44 billion on Wednesday for the preparation of infrastructures and office operation in the local level.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said the amount was released ensuring Rs 10 million as seed money to every local unit. Out of total 744 local units, there are four metropolis, 13 sub-metropolis, 246 municipalities and 481 rural municipalities.

Civil servants are also managed in the restructured units. Joint Secretary has been assigned at metropolis, Undersecretary at sub-metropolis and municipality, and section officer at rural municipality.

Finance Minister further said restructuring of governance units has begun, so the financial arrangement was made for it. Even the fiscal restructuring would be finalized soon, he added.

According to him, the amount released now was the initial capital.

The Home Ministry has demanded a large amount for election security, he said, adding that it was difficult to manage right now but could be provided gradually. RSS