CEC ‘political moves’ get on HLPC members’ nerves

KATHMANDU, JUN 27 -
Miffed at what they termed “political statements” and recent activities of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Neel Kantha Uprety, the High-level Political Committee ( HLPC ) has decided to discuss the matter with the CEC.

A meeting of the cross-party mechanism formed to facilitate the functioning of the Khil Raj Regmi-led government on Wednesday accused Uprety of  making “political statements” and acting tough on the election code of conduct, electoral laws and voter rolls by going “beyond his jurisdiction.” Of late, Uprety has been urging the major political parties to bring all poll-opposing parties on board and present the report of the Constituency Delimitation Commi-ssion by mid-August if the November 19 polls are to be held. The parties have also objected to the EC’s time-bound action plan for the elections.  “The main function of the Election Commission is to hold the elections on November 19. It should consult with the government or the parties if it has problems with the election preparations,” UCPN (Maoist) Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said. General Secretary of the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Loktantrik Jitendra Narayan Dev said the parties were concerned over Uprety “interfering in others’ work instead of doing his job.”

He accused Uprety of approaching Chairman of the Interim Election Government Khil Raj Regmi to transfer EC Secretary Narayan Gopal Malego after the announcement of the poll date. “We want to know why the experienced secretary was replaced with a new one,” Dev said.

The Cabinet last Tuesday replaced Malego with the secretary at the Auditor General’s Office, Narendra Dahal.  CEC Uprety, however, brushed off the accusation. “I have not done anything but create an environment conducive to holding the polls,” he said. Uprety said the EC only gave a nod to the government’s recommendation to transfer Malego. “They are free to inquire with individuals involved in this process,” he said.

As HLPC coordinator Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar chaired the meeting on Wednesday, leaders from the UCPN (Maoist) and the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha expressed serious concerns over the recent remarks made by Uprety and over the poll code of conduct proposed by the EC. Nepali Congress and CPN-UML leaders also agreed to meet Uprety after Maoist leaders insisted that the issue should be raised with him.

According to sources, the “strong” election code of conduct that the EC has proposed has not gone down well with the political parties. The code bans use of chartered helicopters and planes for election campaigning, wall-chalking, use of banners, face painting and forced donations, among other things.

“The provision to bar the parties from collecting donations without official receipt is impractical, while many other provisions are timely and relevant,” said UML leader Agni Kharel.

In the HLPC meeting, the Maoist leaders objected to Uprety’s attempts to personally reach out to the poll-opposing parties, including the Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist.

“Commissioners are constitutional and can talk of issues related to the elections,” Uprety, however, said.

The EC has been holding consultations with stakeholders concerned on the code of conduct. In a meeting with the EC on Tuesday, Maoist leader Khim Lal Devkota expressed reservations over the proposed code of conduct. Devkota insisted the 2008 code of conduct be followed this time too.

Even after the promulgation of election laws, the Maoists and the Madhes-based parties have been advocating for the revival of the previous electoral provisions and code of conduct.

“The EC, especially the Chief Election Commissioner, is complicating the procedures by introducing new conditions one after the other. We feel he is either against the elections or is guided by certain political parties,” said Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Vice-chairman Hridayesh Tripathi.

“We re-appointed him [Uprety] as the EC chief by honouring his experience, but we are at a loss as to why he is ousting experienced civil servants. Why is he imposing unnecessary provisions instead of holding the elections on the basis of the pervious code of conduct,” said Tripathi.

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