EC grants time to govt for poll laws

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: With the deadline set by the Election Commission for the amendment of poll laws necessary for the November election expiring on Sunday, Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav said that EC is preparing to grant one more week as a grace time for the government to work out on its legal provision.

Speaking at a programme in the Capital today, Election Commissioner was of the opinion that EC is ready to provide the government a week’s time after the July 22 to amend the poll laws as government has initiated the efforts to this effect.

“We can be little flexible to grant government a period of grace as there are instances of great changes in Nepal’s history forging consensus in a short period of time,” said Yadav. He also informed that EC will officially decide to this effect on Sunday’s meeting.

He also reiterated the impossibility of the election without clearing the legal hurdles by making amendments in the Interim Constitution and other legal provisions related to the election.

“The issues related to the delineation of the constituencies and inclusiveness among others in the Interim Constitution needs to be amended for the November election,” he added.

Emphasising on the role of political parties in creating the poll environment, Election Commissioner Yadav further said that the election without consensus among political parties would be meaningless as well as impossible.

Informing that anyone who has attained the age of 18 years and received the citizenship certificate can be registered in the voter list before the 75 days of the exact poll date. However, those failing to procure citizenship certificates and those living abroad will not be included in the updated voters’ list.

Even if there are only two election commissioners left, after Acting Chief Commissioners Neelkanth Uprety retires before the November election, the election is still possible, he claimed.