Top three leaders renew commitment to peaceful polls
In the wake of growing violence during the election rallies of the parties, the Election Commission (EC) officials Monday held consultation with top leaders of the three major parties - Prime Minister and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Maoist chairman Prachanda.
During the meeting held at the EC office in Kantipath, the three leaders assured that they would do their bit for creating a fearless environment for the April 10 election.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Koirala acknowledged that the situation was quite fragile and emphasised that all sides should exercise maximum restraint to conduct the polls peacefully. He also said the government was ready to provide all the assistance asked for by the EC.
Koirala further said he was not participating in the election campaigning of his party as he had not taken this election as a matter of victory or loss. Mutual confidence of the parties will be crucial for the success of the election, he added.
Similarly, Maoist chairman Prachanda claimed that his party had adopted a policy not to engage in retaliatory actions during the election time. He also complained of provocation by the cadres of rival parties in recent violent clashes, and asked other parties to "realise their mistakes".
UML general secretary Nepal said the EC should not only issue appeal statements but it should also take actions against violators of code of
conduct.
Nepal also expressed concern over the movement of the Maoist combatants outside their cantonments. "They should at least be prevented from coming out of the camps on the election day," said he.
Speaking at the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokharel urged the parties to strictly abide by the election code of conduct and avoid confrontations.
Saying that the election commissioners had during their recent visits to the districts found threats, use of improper language and obstructions in election rallies becoming common practices, the CEC warned that the EC would not spare the violators of the election codes.
Home Minister Krishna Situala, Finance Minister Dr Ram Saran Mahat and central leaders of other parties were also present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, a probe committee is to be formed to investigate the incidents of dispute and clashes between various political parties in many places across the country in the course of election campaigning.
The agreement to this effect was reached during a meeting of top leaders of three major political parties - Nepali Congress, UML and CPN (Maoist) - and civil society leaders Monday.
During the meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar the leaders expressed their commitment to gradually end mutual discord and misunderstanding and engage in healthy competitive politics from now on.
According to UML leader Amrit Kumar Bohora, one of the participants at the meeting, PM Koirala, UML general secretary Nepal and Maoist chairman Prachanda were present in the meeting with the civil society leaders. He said the three assured they would instruct their respective party cadres to exercise forbearance and carry out their election campaigning by adhering to the Election Code of conduct.
The civil society leaders, in turn, advised the leaders to abstain from unhealthy competition during election and move ahead by forging minimum electoral alliance in order to ensure democratic republicanism.
Civil society leaders Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Daman Nath Dhungana and Kanakmanai Dixit had participated in the meeting. nepalnews.com mk/ag Mar 31 08
