PARBAT, Nov 15: Many political parties in Parbat are conducting their poll campaigns by going against the election code of conduct set by the Election Commission (EC).

Parties are not just found using government vehicles for carrying cadres and leaders but are also found delivering speeches and playing political songs by setting loudspeakers in the vehicles. Though police have announced to take stern action against those violating the election code, parties are yet to take this seriously.

According to Dilip Ghimire, chief of the District Police Office, Parbat, police officers have had to take out the microphones fitted in the vehicles used by political parties after cases of violation of election laws increased rampantly in the district. 

"We have strictly prohibited parties of using loudspeakers except in political gatherings," said Ghimire. It has been found that minor parties are more involved in activities which violate election laws in comparison to major parties.

  Since the nomination filling day on November 2, first-past-the-post (FPTP) candidate of the left alliance Jholanath Sharma has been extensively using a vehicle belonging to the District Coordination Committee (DCC) for poll campaigns. Coordinator of the DCC, Manohar Bishwokarma Poudel, has been driving leaders and candidates to political gatherings. 

 During a mass assembly conducted by CPN-UML on Monday, locals of Kushma Municipality ward no 3, Durlung vented their ire against the party for using the government vehicle to carry candidates and leaders.     
  
Meanwhile, Local Development Officer Bishnu Prasad Bhusal informed that he is completely unaware that the vehicle of the DCC was being used by candidates for promotions. Chief District Officer Rajesh Panthi said that stern action will be taken against any party violating the election code provided that they get proper evidence.

 
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