KATHMANDU, JANUARY 17

The Election Commission today held consultation with 11 political parties on midterm polls announced for April 30 and May 10.

EC Spokesperson Raj Kumar Shrestha said Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya informed representatives of political parties about its work related to mid-term poll preparation and sought parties’ help in the run-up to the polls.

Thapaliya told them that the poll panel was updating electoral rolls. He requested political parties to direct their lower units to help the EC in its efforts to update electoral rolls and set up polling centres and booths.

According to a press release issued by the EC, representatives of political parties urged the poll panel to ensure that all Nepalis above the age of 18 years should be able to cast their votes easily, even those staying abroad.

Lilamani Pokharel, who represented the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal in the meeting, said his party did not discuss the EC’s poll preparation, but sought to know whether the government had consulted the EC before announcing midterm polls. “It’s mandatory for the government to consult the EC before announcing the dates of the polls. We came to know from EC officials that the government did not fulfil this legal obligation,” Pokharel said.