KATHMANDU, Nov 14: Election experts, civil society leaders and political analysts have slammed the Election Commission (EC)'s 'flip-flop' stance on crucial decisions saying that such inconsistencies have caused serious complications for effective enforcement of the election code of conduct and maintaining basic electoral standards. 

Speaking at a discussion entitled "Campaign Financing and Compliance of Election Code of Conduct" organized by Democracy and Election Concern Nepal (DECoN), stakeholders urged the election body to take firm stance while deciding about key issues and enforcing the electoral law. "I  myself find the EC's flip-flop stances troubling," said civil society leader and political analyst Nilamber Acharya stating that such act will raise questions over the credibility of the election authority. 

"When opinions were divided over whether to print two separate ballot papers or incorporate two ballot papers on a single sheet of paper, I supported the EC's idea of including two ballot papers on one. But later the commission itself agreed to print separate ballot papers," said Acharya. 

On campaign finance, Acharya said only rich people are getting access to the election process. "Party tickets are being distributed to highest bidders, so contesting elections is becoming impossible for ordinary people. And most candidates have crossed the expenditure limit set by the EC. Ordinary people cannot bear poll expenditure. Are they buying votes?" questioned Acharya. 

Former Chief Election Commissioner Surya Prasad Shrestha stressed the need for cautiously dealing with the election code. "More importantly, EC should strictly monitor whether the parties are abiding by the election code," said Shrestha. 

Shrestha said the onus of implementing election code largely lies on the political parties. "Until and unless the political parties embrace elections as basic part of democracy, election code will remain dysfunctional," said Shrestha. 

 
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