Kathmandu, November 7

Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav today directed election officials to resist unnecessary pressure from trade unions during elections.

Addressing the ‘regional training’ of civil servants in Dhulikhel, Yadav asked chief returning officers, returning officers, chief district officers and district election officers to avoid mobilising civil servants during elections under the pressure of trade unions.

Stressing that people’s verdict would strengthen democracy, he asked political parties and independent candidates to abide by poll the code and abstain from illegal auction of votes.

Issuing a press release, Yadav stated that it was common responsibility of all to secure people’s verdict. He sought help from all to make secure the votes cast at polling stations until completion of vote counting. He prompted security agencies to act on incidents of poll code violations and not stay idle being mere spectators. Political parties and candidates were requested not to make public places dirty during election campaigns.

EC Spokesperson Nabaraj Dhakal said that it was the national responsibility, commitment and objective to successfully conclude elections on the stipulated dates. The poll panel will train about 60,000 civil servants to ensure successful completion of provincial and parliamentary elections slated for November 26 and December 7.