KATHMANDU, March 2: Eighty-one political parties have been registered with the Election Commission (EC), showing their interest to contest in the upcoming local election slated for May 14. 

The deadline given by the EC to political parties for registration expired on Wednesday. "A total of 81 parties have applied for registration," said EC Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma. 

Except Federal Socialist Forum, no Madhesi party has applied for registration at the EC. Asked whether there is any possibility of reopening party registration, Spokesperson Sharma ruled out extending deadline for registration or re-open registration. 

"The poll date will be affected if we extend the deadline for party registration," said Sharma. 

Election Commissioner Ishwari Prasad Paudyal, however, said that the Madhes-based parties will not be barred from fielding their candidates for the local poll even if they missed the deadline set by the commission. 

"The constitution ensures their right to field candidates in the elections even if they do not apply for party registration. And we are open for that," he said. 

Poudel said that the parties already registered with the EC can contest in the elections.

 
• political parties
 
• election commission
 
• local poll