KATHMANDU, Dec 1: Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav's daughter-in-law Pramila Kumari is contesting the upcoming elections on a CPN (Maoist Center) ticket. Pramila has been fielded as a provincial assembly candidate of the party under the Proportional Representation category.
The Maoists are fielding her under the Madhesi quota. Details on voter Identity cards show that Pramila is the wife of Ashok, son of the election chief. CEC Yadav confirmed that his daughter-in-law is contesting the elections. "My son and daughter-in-law have already separated from me and are settled in their own way. So, they are independent," said Yadav. He said that she has long been involved in politics. "It's their personal choice".
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Election law allows every Nepali citizen to contest elections irrespective of his/her opinions, beliefs and background. Some commissioners within the EC, however, claimed that the candidature of Yadav's daughter-in-law could influence election decisions. Yadav was appointed election chief from the Maoist quota.
Some senior EC officials also said there might be conflict of interest.
"He should have made her candidacy public soon after she was nominated. It's more of an ethical issue. This has led many people to question the EC's transparency and credibility," said one commissioner. The commissioner said they learnt about the candidacy only during a field visit.
