Kathmandu, May 3

The Election Commission today said it had deployed officials to monitor implementation of election code of conduct in all 34 districts of Provinces 3, 4 and 6, where the first phase of local level elections would be held on May 14.

The EC has told them to enforce the code of conduct strictly and take action against violators, according to EC Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma.

Sharma said the EC had deployed secretary and joint secretary-level officials to enforce the code.

According to Sharma, code of conduct violation cases rise significantly after candidates file their nominations, as that is when it becomes applicable to candidates.

The EC said about 50,000 candidates had filed nominations for the first phase of polls.

The EC said each mayoral and deputy mayoral candidate of the metropolitan cities could use two light motor vehicles and two two-wheelers for campaigning. Similarly, each ward chief of the metropolitan cities and ward member can use one two-wheeler; each mayoral and deputy mayoral candidate of sub-metropolitan cities can use one light motor vehicle and two two-wheelers; each candidate for chief and deputy chief of rural municipalities can use one four-wheeler and two two-wheelers; and ward chiefs and ward members of municipalities and rural municipalities can use two two-wheelers for campaigning.

The EC said each candidate could use two horses in areas where there was no road access.

All candidates, however, have to take permission to use vehicles from the poll commission.