EC secy Mainali says, he was transferred because he tried to stop abuse of fund to procure luxury cars

KATHMANDU, June 23: Election Commission Secretary Gopi Nath Mainali has claimed that the Election Commission transferred him as he tried to stop the abuse of funds allocated for election purpose to procure luxury cars.

A cabinet meeting on Thursday transferred Mainali to Prime Minister’s Office in a row over a procurement of luxury cars for the five election commissioners and other logistics issues.

“I advised the election commissioners not to buy luxury cars. I couldn’t agree on such procurements, therefore they transferred me,” he told journalist Rishi Dhamala while speaking at a program Nepali Bahas, boardcased in Nepali Radio Network.

“One single commissioner is using two cars and two motorcycles. I just tried to stop the abuse of funds.”

“The election commissioners are using vehicles as election material,” he added.

He was transferred after all five commissioners demanded Mainali’s replacement saying that he was unsupportive and creating difficulties in using the allocated funds for election purpose.

After his transfer, Joint Secretary Maheshwor Neupane, who was working at the General Administration, has replace him for the post.