In a statement on Thursday, the EC said that Dahal was found using helicopters without prior consent from the EC. “The EC decided to direct Dahal not to use helicopters without prior consent,” reads the statement issued by the EC Spokesperson Bir Bahadur Rai. [break]
As per the EC´s decision taken last Wednesday, senior central leaders of political parties can use helicopters with EC permission for poll campaigning in more areas where roads are impassable because of natural disaster or in case of any unprecedented circumstances.
The UCPN (Maoist) chairman on Wednesday reached Dolakha and Kavre Palanchowk districts by helicopter, for which he had no permission from the EC. Sources said Dahal also used a helicopter for electioneering in Taplejung and Okhaldhunga in the recent days, without EC permission.
According to EC Spokesperson Rai, the EC had permitted the UCPN (Maoist) use of a helicopter for the party chairman for Monday in Solukhumbu. Similarly, it has taken permission to use helicopters for election campaigning in Humla, Mugu, Dailekh and Bajura districts for Thursday.
The Maoist party has stated that its senior leader and former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai will also use a helicopter for election campaign.
The election code of conduct has allowed helicopters to be used for poll campaign in Solukhumbhu, Manang, Mustang, Dolpa, Humla, Jumla, Mugu, Kalikot, Bajhang, Bajura and Jajarkot as these districts are remote from the point of view of transportation.
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