Major parties can register later: EC
Kathmandu, November 19:
Chief Election Commissioner Keshav Raj Rajbhandari today said recognised political parties, which have won three per cent of votes in former elections, will be able to register their parties 15 days ahead of the municipal elections to be held on February 8. The deadline for the party-registration process ended yesterday and the seven major political parties, who have decided to boycott the elections, did not register themselves. The number of candidates contesting the polls are yet to be finalised for the 4,146 seats, in which 1,942,000 voters will exercise their franchise in 1,394 booths in 43 districts.
Addressing an interaction at the Reporters’ Club here, Rajbhandari said the ‘recognised political parties’ will be given a chance to register themselves with the EC till 15 days prior to the elections. “We don’t want any major political party to be left behind,” he said. Rajbhandari said that as the code of conduct of the polls is in operation, no government official will be transferred or promoted in any of the 43 districts. Though voters’ identity cards have been distributed in all the districts organising the polls, those still not receiving them can cast their votes by producing their citizenship certificates, land-ownership cards, teachers’ identity cards and government staffers’ identity cards. People may also use other documents that identify them duly attested by the executive officers of municipalities. Media persons can use their press cards for voting, he said. Rajbhandari added that the EC allows international bodies to observe the elections. However, he added that there has not been an instance earlier when such observers have monitored municipal elections.
Chief Election Commissioner Keshav Raj Rajbhandari today said recognised political parties, which have won three per cent of votes in former elections, will be able to register their parties 15 days ahead of the municipal elections to be held on February 8. The deadline for the party-registration process ended yesterday and the seven major political parties, who have decided to boycott the elections, did not register themselves. The number of candidates contesting the polls are yet to be finalised for the 4,146 seats, in which 1,942,000 voters will exercise their franchise in 1,394 booths in 43 districts.
Addressing an interaction at the Reporters’ Club here, Rajbhandari said the ‘recognised political parties’ will be given a chance to register themselves with the EC till 15 days prior to the elections. “We don’t want any major political party to be left behind,” he said. Rajbhandari said that as the code of conduct of the polls is in operation, no government official will be transferred or promoted in any of the 43 districts. Though voters’ identity cards have been distributed in all the districts organising the polls, those still not receiving them can cast their votes by producing their citizenship certificates, land-ownership cards, teachers’ identity cards and government staffers’ identity cards. People may also use other documents that identify them duly attested by the executive officers of municipalities. Media persons can use their press cards for voting, he said. Rajbhandari added that the EC allows international bodies to observe the elections. However, he added that there has not been an instance earlier when such observers have monitored municipal elections.
