Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav has said that the government’s decision to increase the number of local units poses a challenge in holding the second phase of local level elections on June 14.

Speaking during a press meet at the Regional Election Office in Biratnagar on Tuesday, CEC Yadav said he can confirm whether the Election Commission is technically and administratively capable of holding the local polls on schedule only after discussion with election officials.

The government on Monday decided to create 22 local units in 12 Tarai districts and upgraded Biratnagar and Birgunj as metropolises.

CEC Yadav pointed out that preparing new voter lists and managing poll logistics in the newly formed local units were challenging tasks to be done within a short span of time. He added that the EC was planning to complete all the preparations for the upcoming polls within a week.

Yadav reiterated that there was no legal ground to designate an election symbol to the newly formed Rastriya Janata Party Nepal. He also urged the government to present the budget without violating the election code of conduct.