During a meeting with Chairman of the Interim Election Council Khil Raj Regmi held in Singha Durbar on Wednesday, top EC officials urged him to approve the ordinance at the earliest. [break]
“Our main concern in the meeting with the chairman was that the ordinance on amending the Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly Act, 2013 should be issued immediately as the delay has been affecting various activities of EC,” said Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav who was present at the meeting.
In response, Regmi told EC top officials to continue preparations for election stating that the Interim Election Council will address the constitutional body´s concern soon.
“He (Regmi) told EC officials that the Interim Election Council will approve the ordinance and forward it to the president at the earliest,” said Regmi´s press advisor Bimal Gautam.
EC has said that it cannot formulate regulations related to security, candidates and political parties until the ordinance is approved.
Political parties are divided over the proposed provisions related to eligibility threshold for seats under the proportional representation electoral system and candidates´ criminal background.
EC has proposed that a political party must secure one percent of the total valid votes cast in the election to be eligible for seats under the proportional electoral system. Similarly, it has proposed that persons convicted of criminal offenses or moral turpitude be barred from filing candidacy and be allowed to contest election only six years after completing their sentences handed down by courts or other judicial authority.
Commissioner Yadav said they also stressed on creating environment conducive to election. EC officials also briefed Regmi about EC´s recent activities related to election.
According to EC officials, the constitutional body will hold discussions on fresh polls with stakeholders in 44 districts from next week. EC is also likely to launch voter registration campaign together with mobile teams of the home ministry that will distribute citizenship certificates.
Chief Election Commissioner Neel Kantha Uprety, commissioners Dolakh Bahadur Gurung, Yadav, Rambhakta PB Thakur and Ila Sharma and Secretary at EC Narayan Gopal Malego were present during the meeting with Regmi.
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