KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has sought clarifications from nine more individuals for allegedly violating the Election Code of Conduct, taking the total number of explanations sought so far to 29.
According to EC Assistant Spokesperson Kul Bahadur Jisi, the Commission had earlier sought 21 clarifications by Saturday, with nine additional notices issued on Sunday and Monday.
Among those asked to explain is Hemraj Thapa, a candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) from Bajura. The EC acted on a complaint alleging that Thapa used insulting, threatening and abusive language targeting Bagmati Province Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya, linking him to the Martadi–Kolti road construction project contracted to PS Baniya JV.
The complaint further states that Thapa allegedly used such language at the Chief Minister’s Office and also posted related content on social media.
The EC has asked Thapa to clarify whether he made such statements and whether he complied with provisions of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, while mobilising financial resources. He has been given three days to respond, citing Clause (c) of Section 21 and Clauses (c) and (j) of Sub-section (1) of Section 25 of the Code.
The Commission has also written to the Press Council Nepal seeking action against individuals and media outlets accused of publishing or broadcasting misleading and indecent content targeting election candidates.
Similarly, the EC on Sunday sought a second clarification from Balenendra Shah, a RSP candidate from Jhapa constituency no. 5. The Commission said it received audio-visual material showing plainclothes police personnel soliciting votes in Shah’s favor.
The EC has also asked Shah to explain the circumstances surrounding the deployment of plainclothes police with his wife during election campaigning. He has been asked to submit a response within three days.
Meanwhile, the Nepal Communist Party has been asked to clarify after complaints alleged that the party painted its election symbol outside the election office of Sindhupalchok constituency no. 1, in violation of the Code of Conduct. The EC has also sought clarification from candidate Madhav Sapkota from the same constituency on the matter.
In addition, the Commission has sought explanations from Rudra Giri, Mangal Praja and Ashok Tamang.
According to the EC, responses have been received for 14 out of the 29 clarifications sought so far.
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