KATHMANDU, May 3: Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav has said the election environment has become colourful and lively like during the Phagu Purnima festival (Holi – the festival of colours) with the nomination of candidacies for the first round of local elections. 

Addressing a training program for the deaf and hard of hearing on local level election here Wednesday, he said the candidates have already started campaigning with enthusiasm carrying the party flags and their election symbols since the morning today after filing their candidacies on Tuesday. 

He urged all the candidates and the political parties not to look down upon and show disrespect to anyone in course of going for the election campaign, saying, "They (candidates) have sought blessings from god before filing their nominations. Now, I don't think they will go against the law." 
Stressing that other people also should exert pressure on the candidates to follow the election law and code, CEC Yadav urged people to suggest the candidates how they can follow the rule of law after being elected when they breach the law right at this stage. 

"Do not even give handful of rice grain during the election campaign because some candidates might ask you for 'note' along with your vote. In such situation, clearly tell those candidates that you will only give your votes but not the notes," the Chief Election Commissioner said indicating that the candidates might ask for votes and at the same time currency notes during the campaign period. 

Praising the mass media for their incomparable contribution to creating an atmosphere conducive for the election and ensuring the election, CEC Dr Yadav urged media to monitor whether political parties and election candidates were complying with the election code of conduct during the publicity campaigns. 

EC Secretary Gopinath Mainali said with the completion of the filing of candidacies for the first-phase election that was held fervently and in a peaceful atmosphere, all doubts over the election had been cleared off. 

EC Joint-Secretary Nawaraj Dhakal said the filing of election nominations took place in a smooth and peaceful manner with the participation of political parties and civil societies indicated the beginning of a new democratic era. 

Chairman of National Federation of the Deaf, Nepal, Ram Kushal Pant said now all doubts hovering over the election got ended and people from all spheres should be focused on making the election highly successful from every aspects. 

Deaf representatives from 38 districts are present in the program. RSS 

 
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