KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML has called for ensuring security to the election candidates citing that a series of attacks and threats to its candidates has not stopped.

The UML Central Election Mobilization Committee on Wednesday demanded security to the candidates saying the incidents of armed attacks and intimidation against the candidates of the leftist alliance on the election campaign for the upcoming  House of Representatives and State Assembly elections on November 26 and December 7 have increased of late.

"Party's alternative politburo member and former Minister Sherdhan Rai who is also the candidate for the State Assembly election from Bhojpur district constituency-1 came under an armed attack on the morning of November 14 while the candidate from Sunsari-3 and central member Bhagawati Chaudhari's family members have received threats of attack," spokesman of the Committee Bishnu Rimal stated in a press release he issued today.

A serious question has arisen whether the government itself is the mastermind behind these incidents of attacks and threats by making an anonymous party to take responsibility for these attacks directed at obstructing the election campaign, as it has remained a mute spectator, states the press release.

It also says that the latest developments show the government is oriented towards breaching the election code of conduct, spreading the fear of transfer among the government employees and making some 'unknown' party to attack the election candidates instead of focusing on conducting the elections in free, fair and fear-free environment.

READ ALSO:

• UML leader Rai has narrow escape in bomb attack; bodyguard injured