‘Move to exclude DCC officials from NA electoral college unconstitutional’

Pokhara, February 8

The Province 4 committee of the Association of District Coordination Committees of Nepal today took strong exception to exclusion of DCC officials from the electoral college formed to elect members to the National Assembly.

ADCCN Province-4 committee president Baina Bahadur Adhikari Chhetri said it was unconstitutional not to include DCC officials in the electoral college. He said the constitution recognised rural municipalities, municipalities and the district assembly as local levels.

“Article 56 (4) of the Constitution of Nepal clearly stipulates that the rural municipalities, municipalities and the district assembly are the local levels. The ministry has been issuing directives and circulars to the District Coordination Committee from time to time imposing restrictions on the authority given as per the Article 220 (7) of the Constitution to the DCCs. The ADCCN takes strong exception to this,” Chhetri said in a press release. The press release also states that the ADCCN was moving ahead towards implementing the rights stipulated by the constitution and clause 92 and 95 of the Local Government Operation Act, 2074.

Chhetri also said that DCC Kaski was neglected while making arrangements for the provincial ministries in Province 4 and no coordination was established in that process. “We are continuously working to fulfil people’s aspiration for sustainable peace, good governance, development and prosperity by maintaining coordination with the local, provincial and federal government,” the press release stated.

ADDCN Kaski committee also expressed regret, stating that although 15 to 20 passes were issued to a single party, the DCC office-bearers were not given passes to the first PA meeting.