KATHMANDU, MAY 10
Except for legal and practical complexities, the election process is gradually improving in the local level elections as compared to past elections.
An observation carried out by the General Election Observation Committee Nepal prior to the local level election found that the candidacy registration was done peacefully barring some sporadic incidents.
GEOC carried out the pre-election observation in 2,00 local units of 30 districts through 400 representatives.
The Pre-election Observation Report, containing the entire situation from the registration of the political parties and the candidacy registration process till a day before the start of the election silence period, was launched today.
The report states that political parties, candidates and even voters are maturing, the parties and candidates are involved in election canvassing in a peaceful manner barring in one or two places, and the parties and candidates are not sing force against each other.
GEOC stated that voters have felt a sense of security as political party cadres have been calm during election campaigning. It said that political party cadres did not have any bitterness, ill-will and dislike amongst each other and they were found to be more calm and peaceful during campaigning than in the past.
However, intra-party clashes were reported at some places on the day of registering candidacy due to dissatisfaction in the selection of candidates by the respective parties.
Although political parties and stakeholders were aware of the need to abide by the election code of conduct, it was found that the candidates were present at the election offices with their supporters carrying flags, big banners and playing musical instruments with the goal of showcasing their 'strength'.
The report mentions that despite decrease in the use of party flags and banners unlike in the past, the voters were annoyed due to party songs and loud noise while canvassing for votes.
On the occasion, former chief justice Kalyan Shrestha said that a significant reform in the election process had been seen. Former chief justice Sushila Karki stressed on making the election free, fair and credible for institutionalising democracy.
Election Commission Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel opined that although instances of violation of the election code of conduct had lessened during the pre-election period from candidacy registration till date, it was still far from satisfactory.
He said the Election Commission had sought clarification from more than 60 candidates on code violation charge and action would be taken as per the law against those found guilty of this.
A version of this article appears in the print on May 11, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
