Bajura, June 25

Incidents of political parties violating the election code of conduct are rampant in Bajura with the second phase of local polls just around the corner.

The major parties —  Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre — have been using minors and government staffers for election publicity campaigns in the district.

Election-related activities like pasting posters and hanging banners in schools, government and non-government offices are on the rise. Locals reported that the parties have used most government school teachers for publicity campaigns.

INSEC District Representative Padam Bahadur Singh said government staffers were actively involved in election related activities and they were even found delivering campaign speeches. “The election code of conduct has been violated by political parties, yet the authorities concerned do not pay any heed,” he added.

The district-based parties had made a commitment on not using kids for election publicity campaigns.

Kamala Shahi chief of Woman and Children Office, Bajura said political parties did not stick to their commitments and violated the election code. “Children have been used for chanting party slogans and distributing election publicity materials, among others,” she said. Shahi said many children were seen in parties’ programmes with t-shirts of the respective parties.

Meanwhile, District Education Office, Bajura, said action would be taken against those teachers involved in election related activities. The office issued the notice for the second time regarding.

Similarly, District Health Office had also sent letters to its subordinating units citing the same. Dr Rup Chandra Bishwokarma chief at DHO said action would be taken against staffers if they were involved in election related activities.

Civil Society Leaders Laxmi Raj Padhya said political parties had been organising feasts. especially in Dalit and poor settlements to win their favour. “Only four complaints have been filed at the election office against political parties for violating the election code,” he added.