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EC asks govt to ready logistics for Phase 3 polls
Election Commissioner Ishwari Prasad Poudel has expressed his worry that the damage caused by the recent floods and inundation could pose problems in successfully holding the third phase of local elections.Shankar Acharya
Election Commissioner Ishwari Prasad Poudel has expressed his worry that the damage caused by the recent floods and inundation could pose problems in successfully holding the third phase of local elections.
At an interaction with stakeholders in Birgunj on Monday, Poudel demanded the government solve the problems immediately.
“Road, electricity, polling centres and drinking water facilities, among others, should be in good condition to make the elections a success. It is the government’s duty to manage security and logistics for the polls,” said Poudel, adding that the Election Commission had drawn the government’s attention to 17 different facilities.
The third phase of local polls is scheduled to be held in Province 2 on September 18.
Poudel also expressed his concerns over the violation of the election code of conduct and appealed to voters not to vote for the party or candidates that breach the code.
EC Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma said the poll authority was preparing
the electoral roll and voter identity cards on the basis of the government’s decision to add nine local units to the eight Tarai districts. The EC is said to be in talks with the parties as some of the polling centres could be changed.
Speaking at the interaction, representatives of various political parties complained that some aspiring candidates had been distributing relief materials to the flood victims carrying their party flags. They urged the EC to monitor such activities in order to make the elections fair.