According to EC officials, the commission has been waiting for the government´s official decision on the strength of the upcoming CA before starting to print any voter education material. [break]
“The EC must be informed officially that a 601-strong CA will be retained as the commission has been working on the assumption that there will be 491 members,” an EC official told Republica requesting anonymity. “The constitutional body cannot yet go for massive printing of voter education material as there is no clarity yet over such a fundamental thing,” the official added.
The High Level Political Committee (HLPC) and the Ashok Rai-led Federal Socialist Party on Friday agreed to retain a 601-strong CA while the HLPC and the Federal Democratic Front, an alliance of eight political parties including the Madhesi People´s Rights Forum, had earlier forged consensus on a 585-member CA. However, as per the constitutional provisions currently in force, the upcoming CA will have 491members.
Komal Dhamala, executive director of Electoral Education and Information Center (EEIC) at the Election Commission (EC), said the commission will take a decision on massive printing of voter education material only after it is informed by the government about any changes in the strength of the new CA.
The EC has said that the voter education program would be different from that of the 2008 CA election since technology has brought about some changes.
The commission has already decided to use glue digital display, sign boards, SMS and social networks for voter education. These were not used during the last CA election.
The commission has also decided to carry out voter education in about 17 major languages for the upcoming CA election scheduled for November 19.
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