Kathmandu, April 28

Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav today said the EC would make arrangements for the representatives of diplomatic missions and development partners to enable them to observe polls in the Kathmandu Valley on May 14.

“We welcome your excellencies to observe polls in Kathmandu Valley,” he said while addressing an interaction programme with ambassadors and representatives of foreign diplomatic missions, as well as development partners in the Valley.

The EC has, however, decided not to allow foreign poll observers in the local level elections. Election Commissioner Ila Sharma said more than 35 national observers would be allowed in two phases of elections.

She said the poll panel would decide whether or not to allow representatives from the diplomatic missions to make study visits during the second phase of polls as well.

CEC Yadav told diplomats and representatives of development partners that the EC was committed to holding elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner and all preparations for the same were almost over. He said, “Our coordination for the local level election is excellent and we are on schedule.”

During the interaction, European Union Ambassador to Nepal Rensje Terrink inquired if the government had any plan to allow foreign polls observers in the second phase of elections.

A British Embassy diplomat wanted to know the implications of counting votes of the first phase polls before the second phase of polls.

The government has announced that it will hold elections in two phases — on May 14 in Provinces 3, 4 and 6 and on June 14 in provinces 1, 2, 5, and 7.