Dhankuta, April 16

Various political parties have intensified election campaigns with the local level polls slated for May 14 drawing closer. Local leaders of major political parties in Dhankuta have started pasting posters, hanging party flags and painting walls across the district.

Activists loyal to ruling CPN-Maoist Centre have painted their party’s election slogan and flag along the Koshi Highway, at Hatiya and Ward Office of Pakhribas Municipality. When asked, the party’s district deputy coordinator Ujjwab Kiranti said he was not aware of it.

The Nepali Congress has also made a welcome gate at zero point of Dhankuta Municipality. The Election Code of Conduct bars people from pasting posters and paint wall or write anything in places with religious, cultural, archaeological and historical significance besides  public buildings, memorials, wall, road and electric poles among others  for party’s publicity.

“We are conducting awareness programmes in various communities here to ensure that the party members understand that this kind of publicity is against the election code of conduct,” said Keshav Poudel, information officer at District Election Office, Dhankuta.

Sources said some of the political parties were using youth wing members and community school teachers for publicity. Several locals have complained that the teachers loyal to the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML have been mobilised for the party’s mass gathering.

The teachers’ organisation in the district admitted that they attended political programmes related to the election.  “We will warn them to stay away from election  activities once we receive any complaint,” Poudel informed.  However, District Election Officer Pradip Sah said his office had not received any omplaint so far.