EC sending govt secys to 44 districts for poll monitoring

The Election Commission (EC) is sending government secretaries to 44 districts to monitor the Constituent Assembly (CA) election.

This became possible after the government gave EC the authority to send the secretaries to monitor the election in the districts. As per the EC decision, the officials will be required to visit either one remote district or three accessible districts to monitor the poll environment.

In an orientation programme the EC organised for the secretaries in the capital Monday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Bhoj Raj Pokharel said that the secretaries are being given this task hoping that the election monitoring work would be effective if it is done by government officials. He, however, said that as there aren't sufficient number of secretaries they are being sent to 44 districts only.

According to the EC, apart from Kathmandu valley it would mobilise secretaries as election monitors in Panchthar, Taplejung, Jhapa, Ilam, Dhankuta, Sankuwasabha, including other eastern hilly districts. Similarly, in Terai the secretaries would be sent for election monitoring in Bara, Saptari, Siraha, Parsa, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Udaypur and some other Terai districts. In the same way, government secretaries would also be sent to Khotang, Sindhupalchowk and Kavre to monitor the election.

Furthermore, EC has said that it would mobilise some of its staffs during the election for monitoring and other election purpose, and preparation for which has been completed.

During the discussion, CEC Pokharel also asked the secretaries not to fall under the pressure of any political parties or groups and carry out their monitoring task without feeling intimidated. He also requested them to put their political faith aside for the time being, as they were sent to monitor the election thinking that their involvement would help it make impartial.

Pokharel also informed that the commission has made all the arrangements for the security of the secretaries. nepalnews.com ag Mar 10 08