EC purhcases indelible ink on its own
KATHMANDU, April 18: With a view to assisting the local elections scheduled for May 14, China on Monday provided 11 different types of election materials worth Rs 144 million to the Election Commission (EC).
Just 27 days ahead of the elections, China has provided gel pens, stamp pads, stamp inks, calculators, scales, punching machines, table clocks, scissors, glue sticks and rubber mats. Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong and Election Secretary Gopinath Mainali signed an agreement after the logistics were officially handed over at EC headquarters in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav.
China provides 11 types of poll materials
At the function, CEC Yadav thanked China for its support to make the historic election slated for May 14 a success. "I thank China for the support. It has enhanced Nepal-China relations to a new height. The Commission is working to make the elections a success in accordance with our operational calendar," said CEC Yadav.
Stating that China has been extending its support to Nepal in the fields of tourism, business, physical infrastructure and energy, Ambassador Yu wished for the success of the upcoming elections.
The EC requires 67 different types of election materials to conduct the polls. Historically, India, China and the United Nations have been providing election materials to the government although they later deduct the expenses from bilateral aid pledged earlier.
Continuing this tradition, India had assured the EC of providing 36 four-wheelers, polling screens and indelible ink among other items. India, however, declined to provide indelible ink, citing 'lack of adequate preparations'.
After India 'diplomatically declined' to provide the ink, EC itself called a public tender.
EC Secretary Mainali said almost all the logistics required for the polls have been arranged. The United Nations has provided 700 computers out of the 900 pledged, according to Mainali.
