Bara, September 6

Various political parties are seen violating the election code of conduct in the course of electioneering for the third phase of the civic polls in Bara.

Political party leaders and cadres have increased distribution and use of T-shirts, handkerchiefs and caps with party insignia, which is blatant violation of the poll code.

Madhes-centred parties have used photos of the Tarai agitation on their banners to influence voters

Poll code 2016 had banned use of party insignia printed T-shirts, caps, handkerchiefs and photos of past agitations. The parties, however, have made mockery of poll code and intensified election publicity campaign.

Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Kalaiya Sub-metropolitan City Ward 4 chair candidate Prakash Chaugain has been campaigning with photos of Hifajat Miya killed during the Tarai agitation last year.

When asked about the use of Miya’s photos, Chaugain responded that he had no knowledge that the poll code barred use of such photos. “If KP Oli can don a cap, why cannot we keep the photo of a martyr?” Chaugain vented ire.

Similarly, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Centre candidates are using party insignia printed T-shirts, caps and other materials openly for election campaigning.

Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal and Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal’s candidates are delivering speeches against the major parties and using photos of the agitation and spending lavishly on feeding the voters to earn votes.

Chief Election Officer of Bara, Ritendra Thapa, said his office would investigate poll code violation incidents as per the complaints received by the office.