Sixteen Code of Conduct Violation Complaints Filed in Tanahun Ahead of Upcoming By-Election

Damouli (Tanahun), 29 Magh: Electoral activities are underway in Tanahun targeting the House of Representatives by-election scheduled for Falgun 21. So far, sixteen complaints regarding the violation of the election code of conduct have been registered in the district.

Chief District Officer Shivlal Tiwari stated that sixteen complaints regarding the violation of the code of conduct have been filed. He informed that verbal clarifications were sought from the concerned parties, and they were cautioned for the implementation of the code of conduct.

CDO Tiwari mentioned that a complaint was filed regarding the digital smart boards distributed in some community schools by Shriram Neupane, a candidate from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Tanahun Constituency No. 2, which featured his photograph/symbol. Following the complaint, Neupane was instructed to remove his photo from the boards. According to him, other complaints involved political parties holding crowd demonstrations, excessive use of flags, and government employees participating in election campaigning.

The Chief of the District Election Office, Bikash Lamsal, noted that the concerned parties were cautioned about the complaints and requested to adhere to the code of conduct. He emphasized the necessity of everyone's cooperation and coordination to ensure the election is conducted in a fear-free environment.

Assistant Chief District Officer Deepak Regmi has been assigned the responsibility of monitoring the violation of the code of conduct. Regmi stated that the cooperation of all stakeholders is essential to make the election clean, impartial, and dignified, and requested adherence to the code of conduct.

Regmi stressed that compliance with the law and the election code of conduct is mandatory during campaigning and urged all political parties, candidates, supporters, and concerned stakeholders to maintain dignified behavior.

All security mechanisms have been mobilized to ensure the election is conducted peacefully, and regular monitoring is being carried out in coordination with the Election Officer's office. He urged immediate reporting of any code of conduct violations, undesirable activities, or grievances.

Sixteen candidates are competing in the election for Tanahun Constituency No. 1. Candidates in this constituency include Govinda Bhattarai from Nepali Congress, Bhagwati Neupane from CPN (UML), Vidyanath Dhakal from CPN (Maoist Centre), Dr. Swarnim Waglé from Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Om Bikram Pant from CPN (Maoist), Kashiram Gurung from Shram Sanskriti Party, Chijamaya Adhikari from Aam Janata Party, independent candidate Deepakraj Joshi, Prem Bahadur Thapa from Mongol Organization Party, Manjil Rana from Ujyalo Nepal Party, Yam Bahadur Ale from Nepal Janamukti Party, Ram Laxmi Duwal from Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party, Ramdutta Joshi from Rastriya Prajatantra Party, independent candidate Lekhnath Khanal, independent candidate Sandesh Ranabhat Laudari, and Suman Thapa Magar from National Republic Nepal.

Bheshraj Poudel, the Election Officer for Tanahun Constituency No. 2, informed that no complaints have been filed in this constituency. Eleven candidates are competing in this constituency.

Candidates competing in this constituency include Shankar Bhandari from Nepali Congress, Kedar Sigdel from CPN (UML), Sombahadur Thapa from CPN (Maoist Centre), Shriram Neupane from Rastriya Swatantra Party, Lal Bahadur Gotame from Rastriya Janamukti Party, Yam Bahadur Thakuri from Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Purnabahadur Rana from Nepal Janamukti Party, Sushma Ale from Mongol Organization, Nambhadur Rana from National Republic Nepal, Laxman Adhikari from Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party, and Ganesh Bahadur Lamgade from CPN (Maoist).

A total of 254,397 voters are registered in Tanahun for the election. The district has two House of Representatives constituencies.

---