The move comes in the wake of recent media reports that candidates in the CA election fray in various districts adjoining India are violating the election code of conduct. [break]
Nepal Police Spokesperson DIG Nawa Raj Silwal said, “Indian vehicles should register with the local customs to operate in our territory. We won´t allow any vehicles that could create problems during the election.” Police have stepped up vigilance at different check posts and additional check posts will be set up soon, he said adding, the possible misuse of vehicles will be minimized.
According to Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav, who also heads the Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Unit, a candidate can use two vehicles at maximum and if they use vehicles with Indian number plates, these should be registered with the local EC authorities after meeting existence legal requirements.
Surya Prasad Acharya, director general of the Department of Customs, said the regulations for the entry of vehicles carrying Indian number plates require a valid blue book, driving license and route permit documents with entry and exit days, among many other things. According to the department, such vehicles cannot stay in Nepal more than 30 days in a year and have to pay Rs 452 per day, including value added tax (VAT).
To avoid any untoward incidents involving vehicles with Indian number plates, the political parties were requested not to use such vehicles, but the major political parties were unable to accept the request, a joint-secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs said.
Political parties are compelled to use vehicles carrying Indian number plates because the government is not able to provide sufficient vehicles for election purposes, Jitendra Sonal, a candidate from Bara District, said. There is no alternative to hiring vehicles from India but it should be legal, he added.
There is a widespread practice of using numerous vehicles to impress voters during election campaigns and a majority of the vehicles are hired from India as they are comparatively cheaper, the joint secretary said.
There is a possibility of increase in the entry of vehicles carrying Indian number plates in the near future, so we will keep a close watch in case of any irregularities during the entry of such vehicles, Director General Acharya said.
Election Commissioner Yadav also informed that in an attempt to check the rampant violation of the poll code of conduct in the district, the district election office is going to provide temporary registration numbers to vehicles being used by the political parties and their candidates. But if they are found violating the code of conduct the EC will be compelled to annul their candidacies, he said.
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