KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 5
The Election Commission has ordered Gandaki Province government to revoke its decision on tax rate change within 24 hours and inform the EC to this end at the earliest.
Earlier, the EC had sought clarification from the province government for the change in tax rates by issuing a notice in the province gazette even after the enforcement of the election code of conduct.
In the clarification note, the EC has stated that the province government issued the notice to cut different tax rates.
The EC has said that such decision was against the election code of conduct and would also impact the fairness and neutrality of the polls while implementing such policy level decisions in the wake of the election.
Likewise, separate clarifications have been sought from Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Finance Minister, Province Chief Secretary and Finance Ministry's Secretary for their involvement in the decision of tax rate changes.
All of them have been directed to submit their separate clarifications within 24 hours stating the reason why they don't deserve action on charge of violation of the election code of conduct as per the Clause 23 (3) of the Election Commission Act, 2017.
A version of this article appears in the print on November 6, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
