EC all prepared to hold elections in a safe, peaceful and credible way: CEC Thapaliya

Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya has said the Election Commission was all prepared to hold the elections to the Member of the House of Representatives and Province Assembly in a safe, peaceful and credible way. Voting for the twin elections is taking place on November 20 in a single phase. Launching the Joint Election Operation Center at the Election Commission today, he said the EC was all prepared to make the voting and the vote counts fully secured with the aim of making election results fully credible. According to him, newly designated polling centers are mandated to have direct and regular contacts with the polling stations, take updates about whether employees reach the working stations and know about the situation of ongoing voter education at the local level. Similarly, it is also authorized to facilitate the implementation of the election code of conduct, cultivate cooperation with the district-based election command cell, and cooperate and coordinate in safely organizing voting and transporting ballot boxes after voting. As he said, a mechanism has been created to address immediate any needs required in the course of the management of resources, security arrangements and the observation during the elections. The Center led by the Commission's secretary comprises joint-secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs and first- class officers from all four security bodies was established as per the Election Security and Monitoring Directive.

Forging electoral alliances is compulsion for DSP: Chair Thakur

Democratic Samajbadi Party (DSP) Chairperson Mahantha Thakurhas said that it is a compulsion for his party to forge electoral alliances with various parties in the November 20 elections to the House of Representatives and Province Assembly. Thakur said this while addressing the party's election manifesto unveiling program in Jaleshwor, the headquarters of Mahottari district, on Sunday. "The collaboration with various big parties in the elections is for further empowering the Madhesi people," he said, adding that the party had to forge electoral alliances to fulfil the voices raised in the course of the Madhes movement and to impart justice to the Madhes. "We need to have our friends who are languishing in jail released and the trumped-up political charges against them revoked. We also need to address the pending issues of citizenship and constitution amendment. At the same time, we need to secure the rights for the Madhesi people," the DSP Chairman said. Responding to journalists' queries, Thakur said the Democratic Samajbadi Party is capable enough of securing the rights for the Madhesi people and addressing their problems. The party has expressed its commitment through the election manifesto to guaranteeing the rights and interests of the Madhes and Madhesis, including citizenship, education and health as well as protecting democracy, establishing federalism with identity, continuity of the parliamentary system, building a concrete and pragmatic foreign policy in the national interest and a society based on good governance, integrity and free from corruption. The DSP's election manifesto also emphasizes on women empowerment, youth empowerment and building a robust national economy. Party leaders Sarat Singh Bhandari, Anil Kumar Jha and Umakanta Jha jointly unveiled the party's election manifesto on the occasion.

Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal announces protest programs to thwart elections

Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal among three communist parties have made public protest programs to thwart the upcoming elections. Organizing a press conference in the Capital on Sunday, Communist Party of Nepal, Nepal Communist Party led by Rishi Kattel and Baigyanik Samajbadi Communist Party-Nepal led by Ahuti made public a joint protest program against the elections. Saying that they would boycott the upcoming elections, they urged all the people to participate in their protest programs. The three parties have decided to hold political assemblies in Kathmandu, Butwal, Itahari, Bardibas, Pokhara, Surkhet, and Dhangadhi from November 10-16 against the elections. Baigyanik Samajbadi Communist Party-Nepal General Secretary Ahuti said that corner assemblies and demonstrations will be held in various parts of the country from November 12-16. He claimed that their struggle was against the current system and for the beginning of a new system. Communist Party of Nepal spokesperson Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma said that their protest was against the current system and corruption. Nepal Communist Party Chairman Rishi Kattel said that they would boycott the elections and continue their protests.  

Polls will be organized in fearless, impartial way: CEC Thapaliya

Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya today said the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives would be organized in a free, fair and peaceful environment. The EC was effortful to ensure that the vote would not be affected due to security reason and vested interests of any contesting political parties or candidates. "Re-election would not take place except in case of natural disasters affecting the polls. Those contesting parties or candidates trying to affect the vote would face action as per the laws," he said at an event with the theme of 'effective implementation of the election code of conduct and role of stakeholders' organized today in Birtamod of Jhapa district jointly by the EC and the Nepal Law Society. The EC has launched various awareness campaigns across the country and it is effortful to stop election-related misleading and fake news and information, and hate speeches on social sites, in a bid to create awareness about elections and voting, he said. The program was attended by also the chief returning officer Chandra Mani Gyawali, Chief District Officer Chhabi Rijal, police chief Bishwo Mani Pokharel, office bearers of the Nepal Bar Association, election candidates and chairs and representatives of district political parties and civil society.