National
Party representatives dispute over boarding chopper
A Nepal Army chopper on Monday returned without picking up ballot boxes from Kanda Rural Municipality in Bajhang following a dispute between representatives of political parties over boarding it.A Nepal Army chopper on Monday returned without picking up ballot boxes from Kanda Rural Municipality in Bajhang following a dispute between representatives of political parties over boarding it.
Representatives of both the left alliance of the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre) and the Nepali Congress-led “democratic alliance” at Kanda Secondary School voting centre wanted to fly with the ballot boxes. But there was not enough room for them. Following the dispute, the chopper returned without carrying ballot boxes.
The six-seater helicopter carrying six ballot boxes and two election officers from Dhalaun Secondary School voting centre in the district had reached Kanda Secondary School to ferry ballot boxes from there to the district headquarters.
Kantipur TV journalist Subash Kathayat, who was flying in the chopper to film collection of ballot boxes, said two seats were already occupied with ballot boxes from Dhalaun Secondary School voting centre.
Three other seats were occupied by Kathayat and the two election officers, which left only one seat empty.
“Three more ballot boxes and one person could have been adjusted. But representatives of both the alliances wanted to fly along,” said Kathayat.
The party representatives refused to listen to the pilot who said only one person could be adjusted. After about 30 minutes, the pilot flew the chopper to the district headquarters without picking up ballot boxes from Kanda.
Bajhang Chief Election Officer Purna Prasad Bastola said preparations were being made to transport the ballot boxes to the district headquarters, which is two days’ trek from Kanda.
The ballot boxes will be transported by land, said Bastola. According to him, party representatives were discussing when to leave for the district headquarters with the boxes.