Kathmandu, March 1

The United Democratic Madhesi Front, an alliance of major Madhes-based parties, has refused to register names of their constituent parties with the Election Commission.

Of the seven Madhes-based parties in the alliance, six have refused to register their parties with the commission.

These parties are: National Madhes Socialist Party, Nepal Sadbhawana Party, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum- Republican, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Sadbhawana Party and Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party-Nepal.

Upendra Yadav-led Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal has, however, registered with the EC.

FSF-N leaders, however, old the UDMF meeting yesterday that even though they had registered their party with the EC, their party would not take part in the election until their issues were addressed.

Earlier, the EC had urged all political parties listed with the commission to register their parties’ names with it by March 1, to take part in the local level election.

The EC said that 81 political parties including FSF-N, Federal Democratic, Tharuhat National Front, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Democratic and Naya Shakti-Nepal had registered with it.

All the parties that have registered with the commission or its regional or district offices, as per a notice issued by the commission on January 9 could, take part in the election, said EC’s Information Officer, Surya Prasad Aryal.

This means even the UDMF constituents that have refused to register with the EC now will be able to take part in the local polls as they have already registered themselves with the EC after the EC issued a notice on January 9.

Aryal said that 112 political parties including the agitating Madhesi parties had registered their parties with the EC between January 9 to February 7.

The EC today held separate discussions with ministers and secretaries and cautioned them about the election code of conduct, which was enforced from today.

Two deputy prime ministers and 21 ministers were present in the meeting called by the EC.

All secretaries including Chief Secretary Som Lal Subedi was present in the discussion with the Election Commission.

Aryal informed that the EC’s commissioners had reminded the ministers of the provisions in the code of conduct in detail and warned them against violating the code.

EC Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma said that Chief Secretary Subedi directed Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs to develop a mechanism to ensure implementation of the election code of conduct.

From today, the government cannot appoint, promote, transfer or depute any of its employees, including civil servants or security personnel, except for election-related work.

In special circumstances, the government, however, could still transfer or depute employees with the prior consent of the EC.

The EC said that the code of conduct will be applicable to the government and its top figures, including ministers; public institutions; local bodies; media outlets; International/Non Governmental Organisations; government employees and security personnel.