Kathmandu, June 21

The Election Commission today deployed 75 undercover officials for micro-monitoring of the second phase of local level elections scheduled for June 28 in 35 districts of provinces 1, 5 and 7.

The poll panel said EC officials and government employees deployed during elections could overlook poll code violation by certain groups and, therefore, micro-monitoring was needed to check such lapses.

The EC said that officials deployed for micro-monitoring would also monitor activities of EC officials and government employees who have been deployed for poll duty and as poll observers.

EC Commissioner Narendra Dahal said the commission would not disclose the names and physical descriptions of the micro-monitors.

“They will conduct micro-study of election activities and report to security officers working at the Joint Election Operation Centre,” said Dahal.

The JEOC comprises senior officers from all security agencies — Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Department and high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the EC.

Dahal said that undercover officials would be deployed in sensitive and the most sensitive areas as designated by security agencies and the EC.

The EC has also directed its district level mechanisms to strictly monitor poll code violation cases and take action in accordance with election-related laws.

The election body said that cases of poll code violation tend to increase with political parties and their candidates stepping up their door-to-door campaigns and other poll-related programmes.

Meanwhile, addressing an orientation programme for micro-monitors here in Kathmandu today, Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav directed the officials to strictly monitor cases of violation of the election code of conduct

“Keep a distance from leaders of all political parties and work in such a way that no one will have any complaint, later,” directed CEC Yadav.

He also instructed them to check possible misuse of fund in the elections by candidates and political parties and report such cases to the EC.

“Check how much money candidates spend during their poll campaigning and also check if there is violation of the silent period happening,” he said, adding, “Questions should not be raised about the conduct elections being conducted in a free, fair and impartial manner.”

He also asked them to try their best to ensure the unprecedented success of the second phase of elections.

EC Secretary Gopinath Mainali said that micro-monitors were given special responsibilities to ensure that the elections were held in a free, fair and fearless manner.

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