KATHMANDU: The Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to put in place effective security arrangements to hold impending by-election in a free, fair, impartial and free of fear environment.
The meeting of the high-level election security committee convened in coordination of the Election Commissioner Sagun Shumser JBR here today asked the Home Ministry for the same.
The by-election is slated for December 1 to fill up various 42 vacant posts at local levels. A total of 407 candidates had filed their candidacy for the upcoming by-election on November 17, according to the ECN.
Urging for compliance with the security protocols during the election, the constitutional body responsible for holding elections has called for a reliable and secured transportation arrangement for transporting the ballot boxes before and after the election.
Drawing attention towards adherence to Election Code of Conduct during the prohibited period, the Commission urged the concerned authority for surveillance and taking action against violation, if any.
The Commission has directed the relevant agencies to ban the sale and distribution of alcohol in those local levels where the by-election is taking place, starting from November 20 to till the time vote counting is carried out.
Furthermore, the Commission called for smooth public transportation arrangement for the voters in those local levels on the Election Day keeping into account the fairness, freeness and impartiality of the by-election.
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