PM Karki holds discussion with EC office-bearers
Prime Minister Sushila Karki held a discussion with Election Commission office-bearers today regarding preparations for the upcoming elections to members of the House of Representatives.
Commission's Acting Chief Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, Commissioners Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar, Sagun Shumsher Rana and other officials took part in the discussion held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Singha Durbar.
On the occasion, EC office-bearers informed the Prime Minister that more than 60 percent of the work under the elections preparations has been completed and based on the assessment so far it is confident that the elections can be held on March 5.
Acting Chief Commissioner Bhandari said that the process of registering new parties as well as updating of the voter lists, including new voters is encouraging. It is possible to hold the elections on the scheduled date and that the commission is capable of this.
The commission is working in two sessions from 7 am to 7 pm to manage the pressure of voter list registration in its online system with increased human resources and made arrangements for immediate resolution of technical problems.
Similarly, Director General of the National Civil Registration Department, Namraj Ghimire, said that he is ready to provide the biometric data collected for the distribution of national identity cards to the Election Commission.
The commission is also starting the process of including the voters in the voter list based on the details of the national identity card from Thursday.
The commission has stated that all the technical preparations and testing work for this will be completed tonight.
So far, 22 national and two international observer organizations have applied for election observation for the elections.
Similarly, the commission has stated that the draft of the election code of conduct has been sent to all parties for suggestions and is now publishing the election program.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Karki inquired about the possibility of reducing the limit on candidate spending in the election and arranging inter-district voting for the convenience of voters.
UML’s ward-to-province drive
The National Youth Association Nepal, the youth organization of the CPN-UML, has decided to form a youth force covering every ward and province, and assigning the responsibility to vice-president of the association, Maharaj Gurung.
According to the association’s spokesperson Niroj Paudyal, a campaign to this effect will be conducted in all seven provinces from Nov 13 to 26.
The aim is to dispel misconceptions about the party’s policies and leadership throughout the country, further strengthening and uniting the party through the upcoming general convention, establishing the party’s core leadership and youth leadership and ensuring the safety of the public in view of the deteriorating security situation across the country, the association stated.
Madhes Province Chief Karna takes oath of office and secrecy
President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Surendra Labh Karna, the newly-appointed Province Chief of the Madhes Province, amidst a special ceremony organized at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas today.
Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, ministers, and the heads and officials of constitutional bodies were present on the occasion.
The meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Monday recommended to the President the name of Karna of Dhanusha for appointment as the Chief of Madhes Province.
UML organizes public demonstrations in all 753 local units
The CPN-UML organized public demonstrations in all 753 municipalities of the country on Tuesday, demanding the reinstatement of the dissolved House of Representatives.
The UML has the program of holding rallies and corner assemblies in the presence of local leaders and activists in the municipalities.
According to Rajendra Gautam, head of the central publicity and publication department of the party, public rallies and demonstrations were organized at all municipal levels from the morning to defend the constitution and democracy.
Gautam said ward assemblies have already been completed in all 6,743 wards of the country on November 8, and that preparations are being made to hold district-level public demonstrations on November 15.
Similarly, he said, a public demonstration would be organized in Kathmandu on November 22.
