Thursday, October 13, 2005

EC to Open Parties’ Registration

Kathmandu, Oct- 13-The Election Commission (EC) is going to invite political parties for registration for the forth-coming municipal election scheduled for February 8 next week.
EC spokesperson Tej Muni Bajracharya said the registration would begin from the next week after the government offices resume work after the Dashain vacation reports Himalaya times . "For registration, the parties should present their statutes and name list of the executive committees," he said.He also said that no further discussion would be held with those political parties, which have decided to boycott the election.
Meanwhile, Election Commission has recently published its Code of Conduct for the municipal election.The political parties and candidates taking part in the municipal polls must not disseminate any opinion against nationality, national freedom, sovereignty as well as parliamentary system, constitutional monarchy, multi-party democracy and free jurisdiction, according to the Code of Conduct.
A candidate may criticise another's policy, programme and public activities but cannot mud-splash on other's character, and criticism should consider other's democratic rights and language should be decent.The Code of Conduct also adds that any campaign, demonstration, rally and mass meeting should be organised only after taking permission from the District Administration Office.
The candidates must not use any plastic; clothes banner and paint while campaigning and should avoid religious, archaeological and historical monuments as well as government offices. Instead, they can publish monochrome pamphlets and posters within the size of 6"x10" and 18"x22".
In the same way, a candidate of mayor of a metropolis cannot spend more than a mere Rs 200,000 for election campaign. The code of conduct also confines the expenditure amount for candidates of mayors of sub-metropolis and municipalities. Similarly, the same also binds limitation of expenditures for deputy mayors and ward chairmen and members.
A candidate for mayor and deputy-mayor of metropolis can hire three vehicles and three loudspeakers, while those of sub-metropolis and municipality can hire only two and one respectively.The candidates are obliged to make a daily expenditure logbook that would be presented to the Election Commission.

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