KATHMANDU, June 14: The National Concerns and Coordination Committee of the federal parliament has directed the government not to scrap district election offices, as proposed in the annual budget for the Fiscal Year 2023/24.

In a meeting held on Wednesday, the parliamentary panel directed the government to review its proposal to scrap district election offices in order to assist the Election Commission (EC) in conducting elections in a free and fair manner. The parliamentary panel also instructed the government to consult with the EC regarding this matter.

In the annual budget for FY 2023/24, presented in the federal parliament on May 29, Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat had proposed scrapping over 20 government bodies and enterprises as part of austerity measures. Dr Mahat had suggested eliminating District Election Offices in all 77 districts and incorporating them as a unit within the District Administration Office, while establishing Provincial Election Commission Offices in the seven provincial headquarters.

The EC was quick to express its serious concerns over the government's proposal. The election body also organized an all-party meeting to discuss the matter. Representatives from almost all political parties opposed the idea of scrapping District Election Offices, as proposed in the annual budget.

 
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