KATHMANDU, April 19: Determined to conduct the local elections on May 14 as announced by the government, Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav on Tuesday warned of action against any parties obstructing the polls.

In an interaction with editors of major daily newspapers in Kathmandu, CEC Yadav said the elections will take place even if some disgruntled parties stay away. “In a democracy, disagreement is of equal importance but there are security mechanisms in place for dealing with parties obstructing the polls,” said Yadav, reiterating his commitment to conducting the elections across the country in a single phase.

The government has set May 14 as the election date. But Madhes-centric parties have threatened to obstruct the polls if their demands concerning  the number of local units and constitutional amendments are not met first.

Stating that the EC has already completed the poll-related work, CEC Yadav informed that the election body has now reached a point of no return and will make the elections a success at any cost.

“There are no more doubts about the elections. Ballot papers have been printed and ballot boxes already purchased,” he said.

As of Tuesday, the EC has printed ballot papers for 73 districts and arranged all the election materials.

CEC Yadav urged the political parties to go out to the local units and foster an election environment across the country.

“We urge ministers, lawmakers and leaders of political parties to educate the voters on how to cast their ballots without error,” said Yadav, arguing that the EC alone cannot educate all the voters. “Let’s reduce the invalid vote to 2 percent.”

 
• local-level elections
 
• may 14
 
• government
 
• chief election commissioner
 
• ayodhee prasad yadav
 
• warn
 
• action
 
• parties
 
• obstructing the polls