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The Election Commission (EC) has urged the concerned side to transport most essential election related materials for the March 5 House of Representatives (HoR) elections. 

For the transportation of the election materials, helicopter, truck, and container will be used. 

The EC has urged the firms and companies operating courier services to get enlisted for the purpose of delivering election related materials. Interested firms or companies are requested to apply for the enlistment after completing all required conditions. 

The Commission has requested the submission of copies of the certification (permission) obtained from the relevant authority to operate the service, VAT registration certificate, tax clearance certificate up to the fiscal year 2081/82, and the certificate of turnover for the past three fiscal years. 

The firm or company providing helicopter rental service must have a minimum average annual turnover of Rs 30 million in the past three fiscal years. 

Those providing trucks and container service must submit turnover details of Rs 10 million, and for courier services, Rs 3 million. 

Companies interested in providing courier services must submit an application along with the details of their courier offices and representatives in all 77 districts, including telephone and mobile numbers. 

The Commission has stated that if an application for enlistment is submitted in more than one category, such application will not be processed. 

The Commission holds all rights to take the decision regarding the enlistment of service providing firm or company, it is stated. 

Nepali Congress General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma have cancelled the party’s regular 15th general convention, which was scheduled to begin in the last week of Poush. Issuing a joint statement on Thursday, the two leaders said the party’s immediate alternative is now to move toward a special general convention.

According to the statement, a meeting held on Mangsir 15 had decided that the schedule for the regular general convention would be approved by a subsequent meeting. However, the general secretaries said the convention has been postponed through the same notice as preparatory tasks and earlier schedules could not be revised and accelerated in line with the target of holding the regular convention on time. As a result, they said, the entire schedule was affected and rendered ineffective, creating confusion and uncertainty within the party.

The statement further notes that a special general convention has again emerged as the viable option. It says that the primary intention was to address the demand for a special convention—submitted to the central office with signatures of 54 percent of general convention representatives—through the regular convention. However, as it is no longer possible to hold the regular convention within the stipulated timeframe, the special general convention has become the alternative. In line with Article 17(2) of the party statute, the general secretaries said addressing the demand for a special general convention is the responsibility of the central office and that related processes will be taken forward, as far as possible, through consensus.

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari has said that the election code of conduct will be enforced strictly this time, warning that violations could lead to severe action, including the cancellation of candidacies.

Acknowledging that violations increased in the past due to a largely awareness-oriented approach, Bhandari said the Election Commission would adopt a tougher, punitive stance in the upcoming polls. The commission has recently approved the election code of conduct and is preparing to enforce it from the first week of Magh. Describing elections as a “national campaign” and a “grand civic responsibility,” he said successful polls require collective integrity and participation from all stakeholders.

Bhandari also ruled out any possibility of postponing the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. He said the commission has intensified preparations since the President announced the election date, stressing that holding the election on the scheduled date is mandatory under the constitution and the law. “If the election is not held on the fixed date, it would be unconstitutional. Elections are the only way forward for the country—there is no alternative,” he said.

Stating that debates over whether the election will take place are now over, Bhandari said the commission has progressed too far to turn back. “The election will be held on March 5. There is no turning back,” he asserted.

Recalling that the commission recently held a joint discussion with representatives of 30 to 35 political parties amid prevailing uncertainty, Bhandari said none of the parties expressed unwillingness to participate in the polls. He added that the dialogue helped open channels of communication among leaders at various levels, and that the commission has already completed much of its work by publishing programmes and schedules.

Bhandari urged the media, civil society, and concerned stakeholders to promptly highlight any weaknesses in the election process. “If shortcomings become clear news, it will greatly support the election process,” he said, adding that the role of the media would also be crucial in identifying and exposing elements attempting to disrupt the polls.

The commission formed to investigate the incidents of Sept 8 and 9 is preparing to issue a letter summoning CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli for a statement.

Speaking to journalists outside the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Thursday, commission chair Gauri Bahadur Karki said preparations are underway to call Oli for questioning in connection with the GenZ movement.

Asked what the commission would do if Oli does not appear when summoned, Karki responded that “tomorrow’s matters will be dealt with tomorrow.”

Karki also informed that the statement of former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has already been recorded. He added that the commission is confident it will submit its report within the recently extended deadline.