Govt should scrap proposal to revoke district election office: NC General Secy Thapa

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Gagan Thapa has demanded the government amend the proposal to abolish the District Election Office.

The budget for the financial year 2080/081 has proposed abolishing the district election offices.

The Election Commission has also criticized this proposal of the government.
Taking part in the meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, lawmaker Thapa argued that bringing the units of the constitutional bodies under the executives can erode the democratic norms and values.

“If the proposal to abolish the District Election Office proposed in the budget and transfer its work to the district administration is implemented, it will shrink the role of the Election Commission and affect its work,” he said, adding, ” The impartiality of the election can not be ensured under such circumstances.”

Thapa also said that the work done by the district administration cannot be freed from the interference of the executive. Even from the perspective of cost reduction, it seems that Rs 150 million will be saved annually.

“The 150 million rupees is not a big amount to be spared to ensure impartiality in the election,” he said.