KATHMANDU, Nov 16: Forty-six organizations, including two international ones, are going to be deployed in the observation of the House of Representatives and provincial assembly elections. Similarly, representatives of the election commissions of six different countries are also coming to Nepal for election observation, according to the Election Commission.
“Among the organizations we have given recognition to, only two organizations, the Asian Network for Free Elections and the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, are going to participate in the monitoring. Forty-four organizations within Nepal have received permission for observation,” Deputy Secretary of the Election Commission Kamal Bhattarai said, “Also, officials of the Election Commission of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and South Korea are also coming to Nepal for observation.”
According to the Election Commission, a delegation including India's Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar is coming to Nepal. Similarly, officials led by Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh Kazi Habibul Awal, Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan Sonam Topgay and Chairman of Elections Commission of Maldives, Fuwad Thowfeek are coming to Nepal.
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According to the commission, a team including two Election Commissioners M.M. Mohamed and SB Divaratne from Sri Lanka and Election Commissioner Kim Chang-Bo from South Korea are also coming to Nepal. They will go to nearby districts including the Kathmandu Valley for observation.
Similarly, representatives of foreign diplomatic missions in Nepal and special people will also be involved in election observation. “Representatives of the diplomatic mission observe the polling day. Famous, experienced and special people can also be called by the commission for observation,” Deputy Secretary Bhattarai said.
Section 6 of the Election Commission Act provides that any domestic or foreign person or organization can be allowed to observe the work related to elections. The Election Commission gives permission for that. Individuals and organizations engaged in observation look at the legitimacy, independence, fairness, neutrality, equality and other issues of the election.
Similarly, during the election, the monitoring organization also conducts a study on the activities of political parties, compliance with the code of conduct, security and political violence, and whether the election was conducted in a free, fair, and fear-free manner. However, Deputy Secretary of the EC Bhattarai said that the organization or person assigned for observation may also violate the code of conduct and if found to have done so, action will be taken.
A separate code of conduct is prescribed for observing organizations and individuals. Chapter 6 of the Election Code of Conduct 2079 contains the conduct to be followed by the observing organizations and supervisors. There is a provision that the organization that has received the observation permission must submit its report to the Election Commission within three days after the completion of the observation work. Such organizations should also submit the details of income and expenditure incurred during the election to the commission within thirty days.
Similarly, the observers can observe the elections only in the areas permitted by the commission. Security sensitive areas cannot be monitored. There is a provision that the observers cannot be posted for observation in the ward of the municipality where he has his permanent residence or whose name is included in the voter's list.
