KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 20
The Election Commission has ordered Nepal Police to take action against Chair of CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal for allegedly violating the election code of conduct.
The EC accused Nepal of trying to lure voters with the promise of free visas and tickets for aspiring migrant labourers to work abroad.
In its letter sent to Rautahat District Police Office, the EC said Nepal had violated section 20 (1f) of the Election (Offence and Punishment) Act, which stipulates that no candidate shall offer economic enticement to voters.
The EC also quoted Section 4 of the Act which stipulates that if anybody violates Section 20 (1f) of the Act they shall be liable to punishment of a fine not exceeding Rs 100,000 and jail term not exceeding two years or both.
During his election campaign yesterday, Nepal said if the ruling alliance won the election, the government would provide free visas and tickets to foreign employment aspirants.
The EC asked the police to initiate action against Nepal in accordance with Section 39 of Election (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2016.
This section stipulates that the investigating authority may arrest the election code violator if he/she has evidence to support the allegation.
In a video that has gone viral, Nepal is heard saying people would get free visas and tickets apart from training in Kathmandu.
The EC had earlier issued a show cause notice to Nepal for pledging to voters that the ruling alliance would provide free visas and tickets to foreign employment aspirants.
The polls panel quoted the EC provisions that those who did anything to adversely impact free, fair and impartial elections could face a fine not exceeding Rs 100,000 and cancellation of his/her candidacy.
The EC has asked Nepal to furnish his reply within 24 hours as to why action should not be taken against him in accordance with Section 23 (3) and 23 (4) of the election code of conduct.
The EC said it issued show cause notice to Nepal after a team formed to monitor social networking sites scrutinised the video and concluded that it could not be said the alleged remarks were not made by Nepal.
CPN (US) Spokesperson Jagannath Khatiwada said Nepal was merely referring to the ruling coalition's policy and hence it was not a violation of the election code of conduct. "It is an unjust act on the part of the EC. Nepal did not tell a particular voter that if he or she voted for him, he/she would be given free visa and ticket for foreign employment," Khatiwada added.
A version of this article appears in the print on October 21, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
