Addressing a press conference organized by EC on Sunday, Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said, “There has not been hundred percent implementation of the election code of conduct.” [break]
Asked if the commission had punished any political party or candidate apart from seeking clarifications and cautioning them, Yadav countered by saying, “Is the election code of conduct implemented merely by taking action?”
He claimed that political parties and candidates have acted in a more disciplined manner this time around compared to the 2008 Constituent Assembly (CA) election.
He said that the EC has instructed concerned bodies to take necessary actions against offenders in the 17 cases related to the violation of the election code of conduct.
Asked about ´Mechi-Mahakali Campaign´ of the UCPN (Maoist), he maintained that a political party can hold electoral gatherings and rallies.
“We have urged them not to obstruct vehicular movements while holding electoral gatherings and rallies,” added Yadav.
Nepali Congress (NC) on Friday had filed a complaint at the EC against the UCPN (Maoist)´s Mechi-Mahakali Campaign.
NC had stated that UCPN (Maoist) were using huge number of vehicles during the campaign and posters were of larger size than permitted.
Commissioner Yadav also defended the use of helicopters by top leaders in their election campaigning.
“There is no provision any where in the world bans use of helicopters for election campaigning,” he maintained.
UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been using helicopters more often than other candidates. However, the commission has only instructed him not to use helicopters in election campaigning without its permission.
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