KATHMANDU, March 13: The government has turned down the proposal forwarded by the Election Commission (EC) to allow the constitutional body to mobilize security personnel for elections.
According to knowledgeable sources at EC, most of the provisions recommended by the constitutional body in the election related ordinance, forwarded by the government to the president, have been removed. [break]
“For instance, the government has amended the provision which stated that EC would be allowed to mobilize security personnel during elections,” said an EC official preferring anonymity. He also claimed that the provisions were removed as they were not in favor of the government and the political parties.
Past governments have faced criticisms for mobilizing security personnel during the elections to turn situations in their favor.
Following amendment in the provision recommended by EC, the government, as in the past, will exercise full authority in mobilizing security personnel during the elections.
Similarly, the government has amended the provision, which stated that the constitutional body would be authorized to take action against securities personnel, among other officials, for any activity deemed to be against the code of conduct for elections.
“The provision would have allowed us to take action against any breach of the code of conduct for elections as the past governments have been reluctant to implement the EC´s recommendations,” said another EC official on the condition of anonymity.
The government has also turned down the EC´s proposal to allow a leader to file candidacy from one constituency only. “The government has allowed a candidate to file for candidacy from two constituencies,” the EC official told Republica.
Asked why the government made amendments to the provisions proposed by EC, the EC official said, “It has been done to minimize risks as a candidate may win from another constituency if he/she gets defeated in one constituency.”
According to sources, the government has also removed the eligibility criteria proposed by the constitutional body for candidates vying for proportional seats. Likewise, the government has removed the provision that proposed disclosure by candidates of their property details and income sources.
Despite EC´s directives, a majority of lawmakers in the erstwhile Constituent Assembly (CA) did not disclose their sources of income.
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