Poll code violations rocket up

KATHMANDU, NOV 07 -

With the election just round the corner, cases of election code of conduct violation by major parties have gone up.

The major parties, including the UCPN (Maoist), Nepal Congress, UML and MJF-Nepal, have run afoul of their commitment to abide by the election code of conduct set by the Election Commission.

The big parties alone are responsible for 122 cases of election code violations, according to records compiled by Citizen’s Campaign for Clean Election (CCCE). A total of 262 incidents of violations of the code of conduct have been recorded by CCCE from October 18 to November 1.

Its data says Dhankuta saw highest number of code violations with 17 incidents followed by Dhading 14, Ilam 14, Khotang 14, Panchthar 14, Kathmandu 12, Okhaldhunga 12, Bardiya 11, Ramechhap 11, Rukum  11, Gorkha 10, Siraha 10, Bajura 9 and Chitwan 9.

Similarly, the report also says there were clashes among cadres of political parties in various parts of the country, including places like Kathmandu, Pyuthan, Myagdi and Bardiya.

With the election only two weeks away, the parties have intensified their publicity campaigns. Some cases cited by the CCCE are related to the breach of the poll code of conduct during publicity campaigns, including the cases in Khotang, Baitadi and Terhathum, where posters, pamphlets and flags have been misused.

The EC has mobilised 6,000 observers for the upcoming CA polls, of which 225 are international and 5,587 are national observers. The election body has authorised three international and 54 national organisations to observe the election.

The latest records complied data by police says there were 187 anti-election activities targeted at candidates and disrupting campaigns, which include vehicle arson, bomb plantation, assault on candidates and cadres. Police have arrested 191 people on various criminal charges.