The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday sought clarification from Deputy Speaker Ganga Prasad Yadav and Executive Chairperson of Nepal Television (NTV) Mahesh Raj Dahal within 24 hours for violating election code of conduct.

Deputy Speaker Yadav was asked to furnish a clarification after the EC received a report that he had used vehicles bearing Indian number plate during the election campaigns in Saptari for the local elections in Province 2 taking place on September 18. 

In a statement released on Tuesday, the EC said the poll body had asked Yadav why he should not face action for engaging in a political campaign against the code of conduct despite holding the prestigious position of Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

NTV Executive Chairperson Dahal has also been asked to clarify his alleged presence at a political programme organised by the Nepali Congress in Lalitpur.

Involvement of a person assuming post of executive chairperson of the state-owned television in a political campaign of any particular political party is violation of election code of conduct, the EC said.

 Meanwhile, the EC has destroyed 3,000 banners, flex prints, leaflets used in election campaigns ahead of the local polls in Bara. As per the election code of conduct, these materials cannot be used in election campaign, the EC said in a press statement.