EC ready to hold elections

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

The Election Commission of Nepal has stated that it is capable of conducting general elections on April 30 and May 10 as proposed by the government.

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, who dissolved the House of Representatives on the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, had announced the dates of the election today.

After the announcement, Oli had summoned Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya to discuss election schedule, PM’s Press Adviser Surya Thapa told THT.

Raj Kumar Shrestha, spokesperson for the Election Commission, said the EC was ready to conduct elections on time. “Normally we need 120 days to prepare for elections. We have more than that. We are confident that elections will be held on schedule,” he added.

Shrestha said they had recommended to conduct elections on one day rather than in two phases. “We know from experience that holding elections on one day is easier, both from economic as well as management point of view,” Shrestha said.