Chitwan, May 30

CPN-UML Secretary General Ishwor Pokharel today said that re-election at Ward No 19, Bharatpur Metropolitan city was not acceptable to his party at any cost.

Addressing a function organised to put pressure to resume vote counting in Bharatpur Metropolis, that has been halted since Sunday night, Pokharel warned of agitation if the Election Commission decides on re-election there.

“Tearing ballot papers is a condemnable act. It was a premeditated incident of the ruling alliance to hinder the democratic process. This kind of incident is not supportive of the election process. If a party keeps tearing ballot papers when it is certain to lose election and demands re-election, polls will never end in the country,” said Pokharel. He argued that if re-election was held at Ward No 19 of Bharatpur Metropolis, it would also impact the elections.

Demanding strong action against those involved in tearing ballot papers, Pokharel said he expected the Election Commission to take a wise decision. “The truth behind the incident can’t be veiled for long as the chief of security personnel, chief election officer and observers of all parties were eyewitnesses,” said Pokharel. He charged the Nepali Congress of remaining mum over the incident.

Meanwhile, the UML held a protest rally from Narayangadh to Bharatpur and staged a sit-in demanding resumption of vote counting.