Kathmandu, November 30

Election Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Shah today directed the local administration in Lalitpur district to remove within two days election publicity materials put up by political parties in different places.

Shah said voters should be able to cast their votes without fear. He also warned of action against officials if publicity materials were not removed within the stipulated timeframe.

Commissioner Shah, who has already inspected election campaigns in constituencies of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, made a surprise visit to Lalitpur district today. He directed the security chiefs in the district to ensure foolproof security for provincial and parliamentary elections.

Stating that voting officer and assistant voting officers had a key role in making the elections a success, Shah said the EC had been close monitoring the conduct of its employees.

EC Spokesperson Navaraj Dhakal said Shah also took stock of the overall polls preparation, and law and order situation in the district from chief returning officer.

The EC said Chief Returning Officer Bal Mukunda Dawadi, Chief District Officer Mahadev Panta, SSP Ganesh Bahadur Air, Colonel Suraj Gurung, SP of Armed Police Force Shyam Kaji Kunwar, Deputy Investigation Director at National Investigation Department Bhumi Prasad Pathak, returning officers of Lalitpur-2 and 3 Binod Bhattarai and Suresh Khanal and EC monitor Radhika Aryal were present at the district administration office during the meeting.