KATHMANDU, Dec 13: The percentage of invalid votes in the first-past-the-post (FPTP) category of the election to the member of House of Representatives is 5.18 on an average throughout the country.

Speaking at a face-to-face program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Wednesday, Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said that the number of invalid votes was more in the districts of the central Tarai-Madhes compared to the number of invalid votes in the districts of the Himali (mountainous) region.

According to him, Manang has recorded the lowest number of invalid votes at 0.37 per cent whereas the number of invalid votes in nearly 9 per cent in the districts of Province 2.

He said the number of invalid votes in the districts of the Kathmandu Valley is less than 3.81 per cent.

The Election Commission had estimated that the number of invalid votes would be less than 5 per cent. The percentage of invalid votes in the Constituent Assembly elections of 2064 BS was 5.15 and the same in the second Constituent Assembly election of 2070 BS was 4.94.

The Chief Election Commissioner said that the final results of the proportional representation elections for all the constituencies would be announced within three days from today. He also said that the Election Commission has already started drafting the regulations for the National Assembly election.

KATHMANDU, Nov 22: Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav has urged the mass communication media to disseminate objective and credible news remaining within the professional ethics and decorum to make the upcoming elections free, fair and credible.

Inaugurating the three-day election reporting orientation for its reporters organized by Radio Nepal in view of the upcoming House of Representatives and State Assembly elections here today, the Chief Election Commissioner said the media has a paramount role to play in the success of the election which according to him is the bedrock of democracy.

“The voters have already made up their mind and are confident about the election, overcoming all obstacles. The message that they should not be left out of the voting in the election taking place for the implementation of federalism and republic has already reached the voters,” he said.

Calling on the media to be alert and disseminate the news whether the political parties and the candidates have breached the election code of conduct, CEC Yadav appreciated Radio Nepal as the public radio for disseminating the voter education to the ‘people working in the fields’.

He urged all the political parties and the candidates to respect the valuable votes of the people, adding that nobody should fix the ‘price’ of the invaluable votes of the voters.

Executive Director of Radio Nepal, Suresh Kumar Karki said Radio Nepal was disseminating voter education to the general public in an effective manner aimed at making the upcoming elections free, fair and fear-free.

In the orientation, experts from the Election Commission will impart knowledge and information to Radio Nepal’s reporters on the topics that they should take into account while collecting and disseminating news related to the election code of conduct, the election laws, the voting process, voter education, the first-past-the-post and the proportional representation system of the election, federalism, vote counting and related issues.

Radio Nepal has been disseminating voter education in 21 various languages. RSS

KATHMANDU, Nov 19: Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhi Prasad Yadav has said that the security challenge witness as political parties and candidates are busy with peaceful election campaign has drawn the serious attention of all.

Inaugurating a training organized for national observers here today, CEC Yadav said, “Why and for what purpose such incidents are taking place raises the question of security challenge.”

He said that all sides should follow the election code of conduct to hold the upcoming elections in a free and fearless manner and suggested the observers to observe the election activities in a non-partisan manner.

National Election Observation Committee Nepal Chairperson Himalaya Shumsher JB Rana and Executive Director Krishnaman Pradhan said that the NEOC has been carrying out election observation for the past 25 years and it is going to deploy 800 observers this time. RSS

KATHMANDU, Nov 15: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav has said that the Election Commission is totally focused on the elections taking place in 32 districts scheduled for November 26.

Taking part in a dialogue on ‘mass media and elections’ organized by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in its central office at the media village as a chief guest on Wednesday, the CEC said that ensuring larger participation of voters in the elections (parliamentary and province assembly) was the concern of the Election Commissoin (EC) in the context when people of highlands have started migrating temporarily to warmer places, owing to natural adversities.

Arrival of snowfall in mountainous districts had forced the people to leave their settlement in search warmer places which is likely to affect the participation of voters in the elections. The EC was in touch with the authorities concerned including Chief District Officers, Chief Election Officers and Election Officers on the ways to ensure the larger people’s participation in the elections.

As stated by the EC, the printing of ballot papers for the second round of elections going to be held in 45 districts is underway. To date, election publicity campaign is going on peacefully. Though security threats have seen in some parts of the country as the elections are around the corner and the EC is fully confident that the government will be able to timely intervene in such challenges and address them. Security is the major issue for elections to make the elections successful and the government will be able to deal with this effectively.

On the occasion, the CEC Yadav urged political parties to exercise their intelligence and conscience as a tool for the election not as a weapon.

He utilized the time to urge journalists to abide by their professional ethnics and election code of conduct while observing and analyzing election-related affairs and disseminating their opinions. The probable implication of any piece of write-up about the election should be kept in mind, he asserted.

Acknowledging the leading role of journalists in the establishment of democracy, federalism and republic, he said, election was the means of institutionalizing such achievements and same sort role was expected from media to create atmosphere conducive to hold the election in a free and fair way. Requesting journalists to view the ongoing preparations from the elections through a positive approach and disseminate the news accordingly.

“Journalists are watchdog of democracy and republic,” and he urged media houses to give a due coverage to election news, contribute to voters’ education and bring out flaws of the political parties election publicity campaign.”

“It is better to light a candle rather than to curse the darkness,” he said.

Also speaking on the occasion, former Chief Election Commissioner and president of National Election Observation Committee, Surya Prasad Shrestha said, “Election is a must for enforcing the constitution and the role of journalists is important and equally sensitive before, during and after any election.”

He went on to say that Nepal was taking a great stride through the means of elections in course of the enforcement of constitution.

Director General of Department of Information Bir Bahadur Rai requested the media and journalists to fulfill their roles and responsibilities in an impartial way in the elections.

National Human Rights Commission’s member Govinda Prasad Sharma, expressing his concerns over of the use of children in election publicity campaign, urged the Election Commission to be a bit action-oriented in response to the cases of violation of election code of conduct.

Presiding over the promgram, FNJ chair Govinda Acharya said it was all our responsibility to make the elections successful, pledging professional support and cooperation from the entire media sector to the government and EC to conduct the elections smoothly. RSS

KATHMANDU, Nov 11: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav has asked all the political parties, leaders, security bodies and voters to make positive efforts from their side to make the upcoming parliamentary and province assembly election successful. The twin elections are scheduled for November 26 and December 7.

Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Saturday, Yadav said, “The government has assured of conducting elections in free, fair and peaceful environment. But unless we realize the need of peaceful election environment and make positive efforts for the same, free, fail and peaceful election can be guaranteed.”

Yadav also requested all the political parties to publicize their election campaign peacefully and completely abiding by the election code of conduct and law.

He added, “Only peaceful campaigning will make the voters feel safe and secure and will become enthusiastic about the election; and will respect the political parties.”

CEC Yadav also expressed his worries over the bomb attacks on the vehicles of CPN (Maoist Center) leader Barshaman Pun and Home Minister Janardan Sharma during their election publicity campaign and urged the government to tighten security measures so that no such unpleasant incidents would be repeated again.

“I heard about the bomb attacks on the candidates. I want to request the government to focus on the safety of the candidates campaigning for the election. I hope such unpleasant incidents do not repeat again in any part of the country.”

“It is everyone’s duty to make election environment peaceful so that all the candidates could enjoy their election publicity rights,” he added.

“I also want to request all the news media to help in making election environment peaceful,” he furthered.

On the occasion, Dr Yadav also shared that ballot papers, ballot boxes, ink and other necessary election materials have reached all the 32 districts. He added, “The election officers in process of packing them and sending them to the respective voting centers.”

Yadav furthered: “As the for the December 7 polls, we have already finished printing ballot papers of 15 districts. We are in the process of sending election materials in all 45 districts.”

On a different note, Yadav also lauded Reporters’ Club Nepal’s campaign across the country to help in making election environment peaceful and fair. He added, “Rishi Dhamala has told me that he is starting his campaign from Jhapa. I wish all the best to the club and its President Dhamala for a successful campaign. It is really an important effort in view of the upcoming elections.”

“I am also thankful to all the news media of the country for disseminating positive news and reports regarding the election. The credit for successful conduction of three phases of local level election also goes to online, television, print media and radio.”

“I hope for the same in the coming days.”

DHULIKHEL, Nov 7: Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhi Prasad Yadav has requested the political parties and voters not to involve in buying and selling of votes.

At a training organized by the Election Commission in Kathmandu on Monday, CEC Yadav urged the political parties and voters to secure their votes.

He said, “Voter education and voting is for security and guaranteeing of votes. Democracy cannot be consolidated without people’s vote. It is our responsibility to secure our votes.”

CEC Yadav also urged the district election officers to carry out activities for the deputation of human resources rising above the influence of trade union.

He said, “I urge the Chief District Officers, security bodies and municipalities to keep towns clean from today itself. Civilization of the town is the property of the people.”

Joint-Secretary at the EC, Nabaraj Dhakal said that further training should be imparted to polling officers and assistant polling officers about the design of ballot papers and voting process.

He said that more than 400 foreign observers would arrive here during the elections.

A total of 81 officers of 17 districts including Kavrepalanchowk, Kathmandu, BHaktapur, Lalitpur, Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk, Rasuwa, Dhading and Rautahat are participating in two-day training. RSS

KATHMANDU, Nov 3: Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav has said that the Election Commission (EC) was working with a focus on its goal of making the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies exemplary in view of the managerial aspect.

Inaugurating an orientation program relating to election for youths associated with political parties taking part in the elections, he said EC activities were focused on polling centers as management of electoral logistics and packing of ballot papers and its transport had already begun.

“The filing of election candidacy had taken place enthusiastically,” he said, urging political parties and candidates to fully abide by the election code of conduct with piety. He requested them not to take any unethical means to woo the voters.

Stating that only the guarantee of free and impartial elections could strengthen democracy, the CEC would adopt a zero-tolerance policy against the violator of election code of conduct.

Election Commissioner Ishwari Prasad Poudyal expressed his concerns on what would happen about status of justice and good conducts if a party violating the election code of conduct got responsibility for heading the election and urging all to be fully aware of it.

EC joint secretary and spokesperson Nawaraj Dhakal said the peaceful and systematic registration of candidacy for the upcoming elections on Thursday has inspired one and all.

The EC has expressed commitment to make the voters’ education programs effective so as to increase voters’ turnout and the number of valid votes in the upcoming two elections.

Youths taking part in the orientation will be imparted knowledge on constitutional and legal provisions for election, the voting process and the election code of conduct. RSS

KATHMANDU,  Nov 1: Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav met with President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Wednesday at the president’s residence in Shital Niwas.

During the meeting, President Bhandari suggested Dr Yadav to moving ahead with confidence to hold the elections within the stipulated timeframe, according to Spokesperson of the Election Commission Nawaraj Dhakal.

On the occasion, Dr Yadav apprised the President of preparations for the House of Representatives and State Assemblies elections slated for November 26 and December 7.

He also informed the President regarding the works to print separate ballot papers and management of other necessary materials for the polls.

KATHMANDU, Oct 31: Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav has directed the security bodies to make reliable security arrangement to hold the upcoming elections in a peaceful manner.

During a meeting of high-level security committee held at the Election Commission on Tuesday, Chief Election Commissioner Yadav expressed satisfaction over the security plan made for upcoming elections and preparation for its implementation, said EC Spokesperson, Nabaraj Dhakal.

CEC Yadav suggested the office-bearers of the security bodies to make necessary security arrangement to hold overall election process in a peaceful manner.

The elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies are taking place in two phases on November 26 and December 7.

Present on the occasion were Election Commissioners—Ila Sharma, Narendra Dahal and Ishwori Poudyal, Chief of Staff of Nepal Army, Purna Chandra Thapa, Inspector General of Nepal Police, Prakash Aryal, Inspector General of the Armed Police Force, Singha Bahadur Shrestha and Chief Investigation Director of the National Investigation Department, Dilip Raj Regmi.