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The Election Commission (EC) has issued the 'Vehicle Permit Work Procedure, 2082' targeting the upcoming elections. 

The work procedure has been enforced so as to ensure the vehicular use is well-managed, fair and regulated during election publicity and on the voting day. 

The procedure has been issued as it was necessary to clarify the permission process for vehicles used by political parties, candidates, or the candidates' representatives for election purposes. 

According to the procedure approved by the Commission on Magh 20, political parties, candidates, or their election representatives must submit an application in the prescribed format to the concerned election officer to obtain permission for vehicle use. 

Upon receiving the application, the returning officer will issue the permit within the specified limits. 

Candidates for the House of Representatives or Provincial Assembly elections can use up to two light vehicles whether that be two-wheeled, three-wheeled, or four-wheeled (electric or mechanically powered). 

In places where operation of such vehicles is not possible, up to four horses are permitted for use. 

In the case of local level elections, candidates for the mayor or deputy mayor of metropolitan and sub-metropolitan cities can use up to two light vehicles.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 27. 19 points to close at 2, 708. 70 points on Thursday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by by 4. 47 points to close at 460. 48 points.

A total of 35,574,627-unit shares of 326 companies were traded for Rs 1. 54 billion.

Meanwhile, Kalinchowk Darshan Limited (KDL), Super Mai Hydropower Limited (SMH) and Modi Energy Limited (MEL) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. 

Likewise, Super Madi Hydropower Limited (SMHL) was the top loser as its price fell by 9. 98 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 54 trillion.

Finance Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal has urged all concerned authorities to engage confidently in election preparations.

Arriving in Baglung today to monitor the election preparations, the minister assured that the government is working to create an atmosphere in which citizens can participate in voting peacefully. 

He also urged citizens to remain confident that they would be able to exercise their franchise in a fearless environment.

During his visit, the minister inspected the Office of the Chief Election Officer, the District Election Office, and the District Administration Office. 

Following the monitoring, he received information about election-related security arrangements, police mobilization, and other preparations from Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Acharya. 

Minister Khanal assured that there would be no shortage of resources for conducting the election.

“It is the shared responsibility of all to make the election a success, ensure security arrangements, and fully enforce the election code of conduct,” he said, promising that no stone would be left unturned to conduct the election in a fearless atmosphere.

He further stated that if any issues arise regarding election preparations, they will be resolved promptly if reported in time, emphasizing the need for coordination and cooperation.

Chief Election Officer Sita Sharma briefed the Finance Minister on election-focused peace and security arrangements, the implementation of the election code of conduct, and the preparations made so far.

The US has launched an effort to form a trade zone for critical minerals that are key to making everything from smartphones to weapons as it tries to break China's dominance of the industry, BBC reported. 

On Wednesday, the State Department hosted the first Critical Minerals Ministerial event - which was attended by countries and organisations including the UK, European Union, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Delegates discussed the availability of and access to minerals crucial to the manufacture of things like computer chips and electric vehicle batteries, according to BBC.