KATHMANDU, Nov 23: Following the announcement of the date for the House of Representatives election, the Election Commission (EC) has requested the government to provide 500 vehicles including two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and heavy trucks, for election purposes.
Several vehicles used by the commission were damaged during the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, with some set on fire. The commission said this has made the procurement of new vehicles essential. A proposal has already been sent to the Ministry of Finance through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to the commission, a total of nine vehicles belonging to district election offices were damaged during the protests, with three completely destroyed by fire.
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“Vehicles are essential to ensure free and fair elections. Old and damaged vehicles at district election offices must be replaced,” said Assistant Spokesperson Prakash Neupane, “Vehicles are required for staff mobilization, chief and main election officers, election officers, observers, monitoring teams, and for transporting election materials, including some trucks.”
He added that vehicles belonging to the commission in Kathmandu, as well as in Dang, Chitwan and Saptari, were completely burned. Other damaged offices include almost all offices in Gandaki Province along with those in Dadeldhura and Ilam.
Neupane said the commission does not have sufficient funds to purchase new vehicles and will have to rely entirely on grants. He said that, as in previous years, the commission expects support from neighboring countries.
