KATHMANDU, MAY 15
CPN-UML has issued press release stating dissatisfaction over electoral process following the completion of local level election on May 13. As per the press release, the election was not held in a free and fair manner as claimed.
The press release issued today, said the election of the local level government had been completed on May 13 in spite of many hurdles created by the ruling coalition party. The ruling party has chosen a way against the free and fair policy of the election.
When we requested the Election Commission to rectify its errors, the ruling coalition party made several efforts to violate the code of conduct, as per the press release.
"During the election, the home administration was completely in favour of the ruling alliance party and against the CPN-UML," read the press release. The following is a list of frauds committed by the ruling coalition during the voting and counting process according to the main opposition.
Before Election:
• The home administration and police helped the ruling coalition influence the election and designated staffers.
• In a bid to discourage our voters, cadres were arrested before the election and released only after its completion. The UML cadres were abducted before the election and in Rukum (East) and Taplejung UML cadres was killed. Their post-mortem was not carried out.
• In a bid to discourage CPN-UML candidates in Butwal and other places during the silence period, candidates' vehicle were searched improperly, family members were sieged and different kinds of propaganda were used to influence voters. Manoeuvres like killing and arresting were publicised to discourage voters.
No meaningful efforts were made to stop the ruling coalition from distributing money.
During Election:
• In a bid to influence the election in favour of the ruling coalition, booths were captured in several places like Baiteshwar of Dolakha, Tamkoshi, Melamchi of Sindhupalchowk, Sunkoshi of Sindhuli, Panchkhal of Kavre, Pachrauta of Bara, Saphebagar of Achham, Panchdeval Vinayak, Magalsen, Chhabishpathinhera of Bajhang, Sarlahi, and dozens of places including Dhankaul, Balara, Ramnagar, Bagmati, Barahathawa and Karuniya of Rautahat.
• Extreme abuse of election code of conduct was seen in Triyuga Municipality-12, when voters were brought from home forcefully after 5:00pm in the evening to cast their vote despite their refusal to do so.
Vote counting has been stopped. Home administration instructed the police to leave the station without any hesitation.
• The election code was flouted by the ruling coalition in Budhiganga, Budhinanda of Bajura and Khaptada Chhedachhar and Nepal Police failed to guard the first circle.
• Candidates were barred from travelling in vehicles carrying ballot boxes. In some places, even the seal of the ballot box was found broken.
• Fraud was committed while signing the ballot paper in the beginning of the election process.
• Police and some staffers were deployed in Nepalgunj metropolis to support the ruling coalition while preparing the election staffers.
• There was demand to holding re-poll in some places to ensure free and fair election. More votes were found in the ballot box than dropped. In some places, election officer had not signed in the ballot paper and signed in wrong places too.
During Vote counting:
• Votes were validated in the case of voting in two symbols so as to benefit the ruling coalition.
• Unlawful ruling coalition votes were validated whereas votes for CPN-UML were invalidated. Such impartiality is being practised. Application for the recount of the vote has been denied. Representatives have been removed from the polling station and votes were counted alone in Lamjung's Madhya Nepal Municipality.
• After more votes were seen in the ballot box, the demand for re-election was rejected and counting was continued in Chandragiri.
• Unnecessary delays were taking place during vote counting. We demand the Election Commission stop the irregularities and frauds during vote counting.
• The ruling coalition's demand for recounting was accepted and the UML's demand was ignored.
A version of this article appears in the print on May 16, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
