Kathmandu, Nov 9

Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav today requested election observers not to take their job lightly, and monitor the elections independently and impartially.

During an orientation programme organised by the Election Commission for domestic election observers, CEC Yadav urged the observers not just to visit only accessible areas, but also to visit polling stations in remote areas. “Election monitoring is a very serious job, and it has to be done with efficiency,” CEC Yadav told observers.

During the programme, Election Commissioner Narendra Dahal said independent and impartial election monitoring by national and international observers would caution candidates, voters and other stakeholders against indulging in anomalies, helping make the elections successful.

Dahal said the election would witness participation of more than 400 international observers, besides thousands of domestic observers.

The orientation programme, organised with the aim of ensure uniformity in the understanding of election monitoring among observers, was attended by Election Commissioners Ila Sharma, Ishwori Prasad Poudyal and Sudhir Kumar Shah.

Representatives from 25 domestic organisations approved by the EC for monitoring parliamentary and provincial elections slated for November 26 and December 7 participated in the orientation programme, according to a statement issued by the EC.