KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has expressed strong objection to remarks made by Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari regarding security ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives election on March 5, 2026.
“Even with thousands of combatants and weapons kept outside, elections took place. Saying elections cannot happen because some weapons are outside is wrong,” Bhandari has said.
Gyawali described this as an irrelevant comparison and factually incorrect statement. He criticized the comparison of special arrangements used to end the armed conflict with weapons looted for criminal purposes, calling it inappropriate.
Referring to historical facts on the Maoist arms management, Gyawali said, “Maoist weapons were kept in containers with a dual-lock system, combatants were limited to 28 camps, and all procedures were monitored by UNMIN. The Chief Commissioner should be aware of these facts.”
He added that the Election Commission should carefully analyze past elections held before the Constituent Assembly, where both combatants and arms were involved.
Gyawali further said that given the sensitive position held by the acting commissioner, responsible statements on security matters are expected, and Bhandari’s remarks were irresponsible and inappropriate.
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