Kathmandu, November 15

Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav has urged all mediapersons to focus on issues that would best serve to protect and institutionalise democracy, federalism and republic in the country.

Speaking at an interaction organised by Federation of Nepali Journalists here today, Yadav said, “Nepali media played a very crucial role in establishing republic. They still have a lot more to do for the protection and institutionalisation of political achievements so far.” He also appealed to the media fraternity to perform their work within the ambit of professional ethics and disseminate such news and views that would help conduct the upcoming parliamentary and provincial elections in a free, fair and impartial manner.

“I would also like to request the FNJ to cooperate with the EC to conduct voter education more effectively,” Yadav said. FNJ President Govinda Acharya said the umbrella organisation of journalists was committed to working with the EC and the National Human Rights Commission to make the elections a success.

NHRC member Govind Sharma said the rights watchdog was monitoring human rights situation across the country in the context of parliamentary and provincial elections. He was critical of the EC for its ‘failure to check the use of children in election campaign’.  “The EC is doing nothing, except seeking clarification from candidates. No action has been initiated against those who have violated the election code of conduct,” Sharma claimed.

Former election commissioner Surya Prasad Shrestha said journalists could play a crucial role in conducting the elections in a free and fair environment.

Bir Bahadur Rai, director general at the Department of Information, urged journalists to coordinate with the EC office-bearers and returning officers on the basis of press accreditation card issued by the DoI for election coverage as it was not possible to issue special pass to all journalists.