The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday termed the government’s decision to add two state ministers a violation of the election code of conduct. 

Asking the government to correct the decision, the EC said in a press statement that Monday’s Cabinet expansion was against the poll code of conduct as it would constrain the fairness of the elections. “It is also against the principle of balance and separation of power among the constitutional bodies,” it said.

On Monday, PM Deuba administered oath of office and secrecy to Biraj Bista as the state minister for science and technology and Kamala Devi Sharma as state minister for forest and land conservation, expanding the Cabinet to 55 members—the largest ever in the country’s history.

It is the second Cabinet expansion since the election code of conduct for the provincial and federal elections came into force on August 30. Earlier last week, PM Deuba had inducted three Ministers from Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Prajatantrik).