Former Election Commissioner Prof. Birendra Prasad Mishra has said that the Election Commission (EC) should not comment on political decision of the political parties.
Stating that whether to participate in municipal polls or not is the decision of the political parties, former EC Mishra told Nepalnews on Friday, “The duty of election commission (EC) is only to hold elections as per the rules and regulations of the country rather than warning the political parties,” and added that elections were held in the past despite the calls from various political parties to boycott it.
He however said that polls are irrelevant in the present context, as conducive environment did not exist. He did not elaborate.
Earlier, CEC Keshav Raj Rajbhandari had warned political parties that have announced to defy polls that they may become irrelevant.
Speaking at a program in Kaski district on Thursday, Rajbhandari said, “The King has expressed commitment for democracy time and again in the country as well as outside. The elections have been announced in accordance with his directives to the Election Commission. The people also desire the same. No one can go against the people’s desire.”
He alleged that the parties who are defying polls have not understood the meaning of democracy, adding, “How right is it to talk of democracy and not participate in polls? The people will answer this question.”
He said that Nepali Congress and the CPN-UM that received the status of national parties in previous elections can still register at the commission till December 12.
Notwithstanding the call from the seven opposition political parties not to take part in any elections under direct rule of the King, the EC announced municipal polls for February 8 next year and said it will hold parliamentary polls after the municipal polls.
He also said that the commission has completed all preparations for the polls except the printing of ballot papers. He also said that the EC has asked the international community to monitor the polls, but no one has expressed interest so far.