Kathmandu, May 10

The Election Commission today called major political parties represented in the Parliament today and sought their commitment to the election code of conduct.

The EC’s move comes in the backdrop of a violent clash between cadres of the CPN-MC and the CPN-UML in Dolakha district resulting in the death of a UML cadre.

Representatives of the parties that attended the meeting called by the EC signed a commitment letter stating that they would follow the election code of conduct in the presence of mediapersons.

Addressing a programme organised by the EC, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the government was serious about implementing the election code of conduct. PM Dahal, who is also the CPN-Maoist Centre chairperson, said the government had been taking the EC’s approval before taking any Cabinet decision.

“The government has been doing its best to ensure free, fair and impartial local level elections,” said the PM. He said security agencies were working round-the-clock to check poll code violations.

The PM said he had directed security agencies to investigate the Dolakha incident. He was told that  CPN-MC cadres were arrested following the incident and he had directed the concerned agencies to take the incident seriously.

Responding to the complaint of former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai, the PM said that the government had transferred Deputy Superintendent of Armed Police Force of Gorkha, as his wife was contesting local level polls from Palungtar Municipality of the district.

Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ramesh Lekhak drew the EC’s  attention towards the rising incidents of vandalism and attacks on vehicles used by Nepali Congress nominees in the local level elections.

CPN-UML Deputy Parliamentary Party Leader Subas Chandra Nembang alleged that neither the government nor the EC had taken the Dolakha incident seriously. “It was not a clash between the parties but a murder,” alleged Nembang. He also questioned the role of local administration, which released the alleged CPN-MC party workers involved in the incident. “How can people cast their votes in a free and fair environment, when even party leaders and supporters are not secure there?” Nembang wondered.

Coordinator of Naya Shakti Party Nepal Baburam Bhattarai expressed doubt that the polls would be held in a free, fair and impartial manner. He alleged that the government had been taking political decisions to influence elections. He urged the EC to prevent the government from taking political decisions.

Federal Socialist Forum Nepal’s Co-chair Rajendra Shrestha demanded that votes should be counted after the second phase of election.

Responding to suggestions of political parties, Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav said the EC had directed the agencies concerned to investigate the Dolakha incident and submit a report as soon as possible. He said the EC had taken the incident seriously and asked the political parties to direct their rank and file not to repeat such incidents and maintain restraint.

He said the EC would start vote counting after the first phase of election was over.

READ ALSO:

• 1 dead, dozens hurt as CPN-MC, UML cadres clash in Dolakha