Chitwan, April 3, 2008

Three persons, including a 72-year-old supporter of the CPN-UML Bimala Poudel, were injured when cadres of the CPN-Maoist affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) attacked cadres of the CPN (UML) with knives in course of a scuffle near the Pokhara bus park in Narayangarh today, candidate of the CPN (UML) from constituency no. 3 Devi Gyawali alleged.

The scuffle ensued when CPN (UML) activists taking part in a door-to-door campaign and YCL cadres, who were staging a demonstration, bumped into each other.

The YCL cadres also vandalised a jeep used by the CPN (UML) for campaigning. Protesting the incident, cadres of the CPN (UML) staged a two-hour chakkajam in Pulchowk of Narayangarh from 10 am. Addressing a corner meeting in Pulchock, executive secretary of the CPN-UML Krishna Khanal demanded that the guilty be punished. A press release quoted Khanal as urging the CPN (Maoist) to abide by peace pacts. The CPN (UML) will not remain silent if such incidents recur, Khanal said. Meanwhile, organising a press conference after the incident, the CPN (Maoist) accused the CPN (UML) of nabbing two of its cadres. The party accused the CPN (UML) of releasing one cadre after an hour and handing over the other to police. Election campaign coordinator of the CPN (Maoist) for Chitwan Constituency No 3 Amar accused the CPN (UML) of provoking the Maoist activists, who were organising a peaceful poll campaign. Meanwhile, accusing the CPN (Maoist) of taking four UML cadres under control, cadres of the CPN-UML staged an anti-Maoist demonstration in Patan of Baitadi district today.

Assume poll duty or face action: EC

Kathmandu, April 3, 2008

The Election Commission warned today that those government officials who refuse to go to districts to help conduct the polls will be punished as per the law.

Those who fail to report to the districts on time will also be punished, it said. “The commission has issued a strict order for all election officers in districts.

According to the order, the election officers can suspend government staffers, who either refuse to go to the district or make delays. They will be subjected to departmental action and further punishment as per the Election Commission Law 2063,” EC spokesperson Laxman Bhattarai said at a press briefing today. He added that some government officers are not keen on working as election officers because of their supposed links with political parties.

The EC has also increased the amount of life insurance meant for each employee to be deputed for the polls to Rs 1.5 million from Rs 1 million. Bhattarai, however, did not explain the reason behind the increase in insurance money. The EC said the election in Bhojpur Constituency No. 2 will be held on April 10.