Polls in two phases Ok. But the ballot papers and voter ID cards need to be used for second phase as well: EC
KATHMANDU, April 24: The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday said that the polls can be conducted in two phases only if the recently printed ballot papers, voter rolls and voter ID cards are to be used for the second phase elections as well. The election body is for conducting the local elections in two phases without affecting the existing technical and managerial arrangements.
A day after the government reached the conclusion that the elections are to be conducted in two phases, the EC said the voter rolls update and printing of ballot papers are non-negotiable issues.
"Polls in two phases OK. But we cannot update the voter rolls nor print the rolls and the ballot papers again," said Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav.
At a meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday, the election commissioners said they would refuse to update the voter rolls and print the rolls, the ballot papers and voter IDs afresh for the second phase elections. "We cannot do that. Second phase elections also should be conducted using the existing voter rolls and ballot papers," said Yadav.
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The disgruntled Madhes-based parties have demanded an update of the voter rolls in the southern plains and preparation of new voter rolls and ballot papers, saying a large number of voters are not registered. They have also demanded an increase in the number of local units in their areas. The election commissioners, however, said they can neither update the voter rolls nor print new ballot papers and voter rolls as agreed by the government with the disgruntled parties.
"Updating the voter rolls in the context of the poll preparations already being completed will be against the law, and we cannot do that," said another election commissioner, Ishwari Paudel.
The EC has already printed the ballot papers, voter rolls and voter ID cards for all 75 districts.
Logistics for the elections have already been arranged with a view to conduct elections across the country at a one go. Some of the logistics are on their way to the local units.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Dahal urged the election commissioners to take into consideration the government's proposal to hold the elections in two phases, saying the disgruntled parties need to be taken on board.
After failing to reach any conclusion, Dahal and the election commissioners have scheduled another meeting on Monday to seek options on ways to conduct the polls in two phases.
The election commissioners believe the row over the elections could resurface if the ballot papers are to be re-printed for the second phase. A large section of parties have been protesting against the government and the election body after they refused to give election symbols to parties other than those represented in parliament. They are being forced to contest with independent election symbols.
EC Secretary Gopinath Mainlai said holding the elections will be costlier following the government's decision to conduct these in two phases. "We have already deployed the returning officers and voter educators, among other things. They have to stay put without any work and we may have to pay them for longer than previously estimated," said Mainali.
An estimated 300,000 civil servants and over 200,000 security personnel have already been mobilized to the local units. The Home Ministry has hired 75,000 temporary police for two months and these will have to be retained for one more month if the local elections are to be held in two phases.
