Ramechhap/ Lamjung, October 26

Political parties in Ramechhap have pledged to follow the election code of conduct issued by the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections this November.

A commitment towards this effect was expressed by representatives of political parties and election candidates at an all party meeting organised by the office of chief returning officer here today.

On the occasion, the chief returning officer had briefed the participants about the code of conduct. “As following the code is a prerequisite for healthy democracy, we can’t entertain anyone running their campaign breaching the code,” clarified Chief District Officer Dilip Prasad Lamichhane, vowing that the administration wouldn’t spare anyone found guilty of violating the code.

Meanwhile, small political parties have expressed doubt that the major parties will keep their word. “To hark back to the past, it’s the major parties that were involved in glaring violation of the election code of conduct. So, we doubt that the parties will stick to the code this time as well,” said Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal parliamentary candidate Amrit Sunuwar.

Local civil society leader and media person Himal Dhungel bemoaned the instances of violation of the code and called on everyone to be serious about implementing the code. On his part, Chief Returning Officer Krishna Prasad Poudel said his office would do its best to get everyone to honour the election code. “As our efforts are not enough, I urge everyone to cooperate with

In Lamjung too, political parties and their candidates assured they would strictly follow the election code of conduct during the upcoming provincial and House of Representatives election in the district.

Party leaders and their candidates jointly expressed commitment to follow the basic election code of conduct at a programme organised at the Chief Returning Officer’s Office, Besisahar today.

Chief Returning Officer Komal Prasad Acharya said leaders from different political parties put their signature in the joint commitment.

The programme was held to brief about the general code of conduct that parties and the persons concerned had to follow such as the code while using vehicles, the code media persons had to follow, code to be followed during silence period, code while holding rallies among others.

Chief District Officer Yubraj  Mainali said action would be taken against those violating the election code of conduct.

Eleven candidates are contesting for the House of Representatives election and eleven are contesting provincial election in the district. As many as 115,449 voters will cast their ballot on November 26 in the district.