KATHMANDU, Sept 12: Hours after the newly-appointed ministers assumed office on Monday, the Election Commission (EC) said it was seriously concerned over Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s expansion of the cabinet in violation of the election code of conduct.
Cabinet expansion violates election code of conduct: EC
The election body said the expansion of the cabinet was against the election code of conduct and asked the government not to repeat such mistakes in the coming days.
The election code clearly mentions that after the announcement of the election date, the government should not make any decision that is will be a financial burden on the state. However, Prime Minister Deuba inducted three ministers and state ministers into his cabinet making it the largest-ever cabinet in history with 54 members. The last record size 52-member cabinet was also formed under Deuba.
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Democratic) leaders Deepak Bohara, Bikram Pandey and Sunil Bahadur Thapa were appointed ministers on Monday while Resham Lama was appointed state minister. The party had decided to send four of its leaders as ministers on Sunday itself. On Sunday, when asked about the measures adopted to prevent the violation of election code of conduct, Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav had refused to comment saying he is in a ‘wait and see’ position’.
