CEC Thapaliya calls for political parties’ neutral stance on election code of conduct

Kathmandu: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya has urged the political leaders not to construe the issue of election code of conduct in a different perspective based on the parties’ opposition or ruling status.

Political parties’ understanding and implementation of the election code of conduct should be the same, Thapaliya added.

During an interaction programme organised on Monday by the National Concerns and Coordination Committee of the federal parliament in regard to the upcoming federal and provincial assembly polls, Thapaliya argued that the election system was not costlier but the candidates were dishonest.

The interaction programme was focused on the preparation of elections, laws, management of logistics, security provisions and others. On the occasion, CPN (UML) parliamentary party deputy leader Subas Nembang took exception to the transfer of the civil servants after the declaration of the election date.

Likewise, Senior Vice-Chairman of CPN (Maoist Centre) Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the ministers should be allowed to join the election campaigns without misusing the state resources adding that the ministers are also members of particular political parties.

NC joint general-secretary Badri Prasad Pandey called to prevent profligacy from taking place in the election. Leaders speaking at the event include Jagannath Khatiwada of CPN (Unified Socialist), assistant general secretary of CPN (Maoist Centre) Hari Bol Gajurel and lawmakers Rekha Sharma, Bimala BK, Laxmi Pariyar, Binda Pandey among others.