Sunday, September 16, 2007

EC to enforce code of conduct from Sept 18
The Election Commission has decided to enforce the CA Member Election Code of Conduct from September 18 in a phase-wise manner.
In a statement issued Saturday, the EC said that the code would come into effect for government, semi-government and local bodies on Sept 18. Political parties and candidates would have to comply with it, effective from September 30 and October 5, respectively following the registration of candidacy for proportional electoral system and first-past-the-post, it added.
For the media, the code would become operational from October 11 when the EC distributes election symbols to candidates contesting for first-past-the-post.
Later, speaking at an interaction program on CA election and information dissemination organized by South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), Nepal, on Saturday, Chief Election Commissioner Bhojraj Pokharel urged all political parties, their candidates, government and media to cooperate with the EC by internalizing the letter and spirit of the code of conduct to make the CA poll free, fair and credible.
In order to create a conducive environment by ensuring security situation, Pokharel urged the government and concerned authority to take immediate initiatives to resolve surfacing disputes and improve security situation across the country.
Underlining the need of credible reporting for credible election, he said, "Media should play proactive role to create election-friendly environment by carrying out impartial and factual reporting."

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