Smaller parties criticise big parties for ‘violation’ of code of conduct, misuse of media
Smaller parties have raised serious objection to what they call violation of election code of conduct and misuse of government facilities by major parties.
During a discussion organised by the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday, representatives of various political parties drew attention of the commission towards the misuse of government resources by major ruling parties. Some of them apparently raised objection to the publication of Maoist manifesto in Saturday's edition of Gorkhapatra daily.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Bhoj Raj Pokhrel said the editor of the daily has assured the commission to publish manifesto of all the political parties contesting the constituent assembly polls.
Central committee member of Nepali Congress Dr Minendra Rijal urged the commission to ensure that public media are not used as a mouth piece of a party.
UML's Man Bahadur KC requested the commission to be proactive for effective implementation of the code of conduct. While representatives of the most of the parties criticised Maoists for misuse of state media no Maoist representative was present at the interaction to clarify the party’s position.
CEC Pokhrel said the commission was ready to take any action if any party failed to comply with the code of conduct and direction given by the commission. Candidates violating the codes would see their candidacies scrapped.
The CEC also urged the parties to maintain restraint and train the cadres accordingly to ensure smooth and peaceful polls.
According to him, the commission will first announce the result of the direct elections. The parties will be furnished with the percentage of votes they receive for proportional system after which the parties have to pick up their candidates.
The commission said the parties will be given opportunity to publicise their ideology and manifesto through Nepal Television and Radio Nepal from third week of March. nepalnews.com ia Mar 08 08
