KATHMANDU: The main opposition party CPN-UML on Friday has drawn the attention of the Election Commission, asking it to give clear advice to the government that the second phase of the local level elections be held before May 29, the day for unveiling fiscal budget as per the provision of the Constitution.

A team of the CPN (UML) led by its parliamentary party deputy leader Subash Nembang submitted a written note to the Election Commission, stating that the date set for the second round of local election on June 14 was not appropriate in view of the timing of the policy and programme, and the budget that the government has to bring, the gap between the first and the second phase of the election and the Ramjan festival of the Muslim community.

While recalling that the party had welcomed and backed the local level elections announced for May 14 with the consultation of the Election Commission without any hesitation, the main opposition party, through the note, alleged that the announcement of holding the election in two phases in a gap of one month without any rationale has produced confusion, uncertainty and dilemma.

"We are surprised that the Election Commission did not see the need of even holding a general consultation with the main opposition party while taking such a serious decision," the UML stated in the note.

Stating it is certain that publication of the results of the first round election soon after its conclusion and before the start of the next phase of election would damage the fairness and impartiality of the elections as well, the UML asserted that no works including vote counting could take place in between the two phases of the elections.

It stated that the clear and undisputed new system of bringing the budget on the 15th of the Nepali month Jestha (May 29) as stipulated in the constitution has come into practice, and suggested the Election Commission holding the second phase of elections before May 29 as the budget presentation cannot be avoided and blemishing the sanctity of the election by influencing voters was not allowable.

The memo reads that the date slated for local poll (June 14) was the Ramjan festival of the Islam community, therefore they will not be able to cast the votes.

Deputy parliamentary party leader of the UML Subas Nembang said that the fair and free election was the need of hour adding that people were actively participating in the nomination process for the first phase of elections.

On the occasion, the party urged the commission to make the election fear- free.

Similarly, Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav suggested the delegation that consultation be made in these issues with Prime Minister as they were political issues, Nembang added.

The delegation comprised Radha Gyawali, Rajendra Pandey, Agni Kharel and Krishna Gopal Shrestha.