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Nepal Army personnel have been mobilized in Sunsari district to make the elections to the House of Representatives and Province Assembly slated for November 20 successful. The District Security Committee, Sunsari said that the Nepal Army personnel have been mobilized in sensitive and highly sensitive areas from Friday. Chief District Office of Sunsary Indra Dev Yadav said that Nepal Army personnel have been mobilized in Inaruwa, Duhabi, Ramdhuni and Barahachhetra of Dharan and Itahari Sub-Metropolitan Cities of Sunsari hold the elections in a peaceful manner. He said that the Nepali Army personnel have also been deployed in Koshi, Bhokraha, Nursing, Harinagar, Dewangunj and Amadhudhagadhi Rural Municipalities. Chief District Officer Yadav said that 440 from Nepali Army, 1, 581 from Nepal Police, 873 from Armed Police Force, 16 from National Investigation Department and 2, 559 temporary police personnel were mobilized in the district for the elections. The Nepal Army personnel will patrol the voting centers and other places of Sunsari.

As November 20 elections draw near, political parties and their candidates are busy canvassing. They have unveiled their election manifesto with a slew of populist programs designed to attract voters. As election fever grips the country, some candidates have been found engaged in a disinformation campaign to discredit their rivals. Even the top leaders are in it. Social media is awash with false information against candidates. For a free and fair election, it is imperative that political parties encourage their candidates to make their campaign fair and transparent. They must try to win the hearts and minds of voters through noble visions and ideas. Spreading false information in order to manipulate voters is not good for a democracy. It will not allow voters to make an informed-choice. In Nepal’s context, where digital media literacy is minimal, many voters are prone to believe whatever information they are beamed onto social media. This could affect the outcomes of the elections. While the Election Commission (EC) has taken some measures to curb the spread of misinformation in the run-up to the November 20 polls, its moves have also generated the debate on freedom of speech and expression. The commission has been criticized for trying to muzzle free speech. Yes, people should be allowed to express their opinions, but in that process, they should not spread misleading information in violation of the poll code of conduct. Major political parties and civil society organizations also have a role to play to ensure a healthy election process. Parties should instruct their candidates and cadres not to strictly adhere to the regulations set by the EC while campaigning. Civil society organizations, meanwhile, can run their own campaigns to educate voters about the dangers of disinformation on social media, and urge them to trust only those information that have come from legitimate sources. In an ideal democracy, people should be allowed to exercise their franchise with their conscience, in a free and fair environment.

The CPN-UML has decided to start its election assemblies from Darchula. Party Chairman KP Sharma Oli will fly to Darchula from Dhangadhi on a Shree Airlines helicopter. Oli had reached Dhangadhi to take part in an election assembly on Thursday. The former prime minister is scheduled to address an election assembly in Khalanga, district headquarters of Darchula, at 12 pm today. It has been learnt that he will address the election assemblies in Patan of Baitadi and Mahendranagar of Kanchanpur today itself.

Captain Rameshwar Thapa, president of the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal, has said that Nepali skies are safe for flight.  Speaking at the Canadian Aviation Mission to Nepal, Thapa appealed to the world to come to Nepal without any fear. “Nepal is the best laboratory for every aircrafts where each air strength gets accomplished.” He further said that the Nepali aviation sector is committed to safe flights.   The program was organized by the Canadian Embassy to Nepal on Nov 1-2. The event had presentations from the Canadian aviation sector like Bell Helicopter, CAE Flight Training (India) Pvt Ltd, CAE Simulation Training Private Limited, Canadian Aviation College and De Havilland Canada.

Compared to the previous elections, international organizations have not shown much interest to be part of the observing body on November 20 elections to the federal parliament and seven provincial assemblies.  Two vital organizations—European Union and The Carter Center—that observed previous elections of Nepal aren’t coming this time. It should be noted that the EU’s 2017 observation report landed in controversy after the Election Commission (EC) expressed its concerns stating that the activities of the EU observers violated the codes of ethics. The election body has invited chief election commissioners of SAARC countries to observe the upcoming polls. Except for Pakistan, chief election commissioners from all SAARC countries are set to visit Nepal to play the role of observers.  Election officials say the number of international observers will be much lower this time. As of Nov 2, only four international organizations Asian Network for Free Elections, the SAARC Human Rights Foundation, the Civil Chamber of the Russian Federation, and the Support initiative for Liberty and Democracy had agreed to be part of the international election observation body.  This is also the first time that a Russian organization has agreed to observe Nepal’s elections.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari reached Mustang on Friday. The head of the state arrived in the Himalayan district to unveil the statue of Lord Buddha and to lay the foundation stone for the construction of the statue of Lord Bishnu. She is also scheduled to inaugurate the Loh Mustang Himalayan Resort built in Ranipauwa of Muktinath. Security has been tightened in view of President Bhandari’s visit. She had visited Muktinath last year also.    

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 16. 14 points to close at 1,922.16 points on Thursday. Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 3. 50 points to close at 379. 43 points. A total of 2,767,539 unit shares of 220 companies were traded for Rs 89 billion. Meanwhile, Unilever Nepal Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 6. 56 percent. Likewise, Wean Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top loser with its price dropped by 4. 94 percent. At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 76 trillion.