National
No change in election dates: EC
The Election Commission (EC) reiterated on Wednesday that there won’t be any changes in dates of the provincial and federal elections scheduled for November 26 and December 7.The Election Commission (EC) reiterated on Wednesday that there won’t be any changes in dates of the provincial and federal elections scheduled for November 26 and December 7.
The EC’s statement followed a Supreme Court decision on a writ filed by a Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal leader demanding two separate ballot papers for the provincial and federal elections.
Responding to the writ filed by RJP-N leader Sarbendra Nath Shukla, the apex court said there was no need to issue an interim order as demanded by the petitioner at a time when the ballot papers for the proportional representation system have already been sent to press for printing.
Organising a press meet after the Supreme Court ruling on the ballot papers issue, Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said that the submission of proportional representation (PR) lists by political parties has also assured the completion of polls on time.
“I urge voters to be confident about the conclusion of provincial and federal polls within the designated time,” Yadav said.
According to Yadav, the Supreme Court decision on ballot paper printing is supportive towards the polls.
“We are yet to see the full text of the ruling. However, the decision we have heard through media indicates that the ruling is in favour of the upcoming polls,” Yadav said, adding that the EC will make further decision based on the needs after receiving the full text of the ruling.
Both provincial and federal polls will be conducted in 32 districts in the first phase on November 26. Remaining districts including Kathmandu will go to polls on December 7.
As many as 49 political parties submitted their PR lists at the Election Commission on Sunday. Parties will have to finalise candidates contesting election under the First-Past-the-Post system on October 22.
CEC Yadav also expressed confidence about getting adequate support from the concerned stakeholders for conducting the polls in free and credible environment.
Printing of seven different types of ballot papers required for the upcoming polls began on October 3. According to Yadav, 9 million ballot papers—of the total 18 million required—for the PR system have already been printed. “All the ballot papers for the PR system will be printed by October 24,” Yadav said, adding that the task of printing ballots for FPTP system will begin from October 25.
The EC has stated that the upper portion of ballot paper will be used for the election of House of Representatives, while the lower part will be used for provincial assembly polls.