Election Campaign Sparks Controversy as KP Oli's Visit Allegedly Disrupts Services at Jhapa Hospital

Damak. As the upcoming House of Representatives election draws nearer, political parties have intensified their electioneering activities. Although the Election Commission has set a deadline until the 17th of this month to campaign while adhering to the code of conduct, a dispute has erupted in Jhapa Constituency No. 5, alleging a violation of the electoral code of conduct.

CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was actively engaging with voters in Jhapa Constituency No. 5 since Monday morning. During this process, his visit to Damak Hospital with a large entourage led to complaints from service seekers that hospital services were affected.

The Damak Hospital was packed with patients since Monday morning. Hospital sources indicated that the patient load was extremely high on Monday due to two consecutive public holidays.

From around 11 AM, cadres from the UML-affiliated Youth Association were standing at the hospital gate with flags and banners, chanting slogans like 'KP Ba High High'.

Oli entered the hospital premises with his cadres at approximately 1:50 PM. According to eyewitnesses, immediately upon his entry, services at the counter, wards, and even the emergency room were suspended for some time, citing 'orders from above'. Service seekers who had been waiting in line for hours to collect medicine were further distressed by the closure of the pharmacy service. More than 1,200 patients receive services daily at Damak Hospital.

One service seeker complained, “We had been waiting in line since the morning. Suddenly, the service stopped. We brought a patient, but no one listened. Why use a place like a hospital for election campaigning?”
Oli remained on the hospital premises until about 2:30 PM. Service seekers claimed that most hospital services were affected during that period. According to the election code of conduct, no political party or candidate is allowed to campaign, hold rallies, or gather crowds in government, public, or sensitive locations, especially hospitals, schools, or health posts. Actions that obstruct public service delivery are explicitly prohibited.

Tulsi Nepal, the Election Officer for the Election Office Jhapa, clarified that gathering and campaigning in sensitive areas like hospitals are not permitted. He stated, “Campaigning is not allowed in sensitive locations such as hospitals and schools. If it is found that services have been affected, the necessary legal action process will be initiated.”

Meanwhile, the Damak Hospital administration has denied allegations that services were halted. According to the hospital's Information Officer, Dr. Anupam Ghimire, the event took place outside the hospital and did not have a major impact. “We were informed about an hour in advance. The program was outside the hospital. He (Oli) did not enter the ward or the treatment room. Therefore, there was no major impact. The claim that services were interrupted is also not true.”

Regarding the issue of doctors and nurses stopping service to welcome him, he stated that it was during their 'rest time'. “It was scheduled to happen during the rest time. He arrived around 2 PM, which caused a slight effect,” he said.

Although the hospital administration claims services were not affected, service seekers complained that services were interrupted for hours. Police were seen calming down a woman who was crying and distressed.

Devendra Dahal, Coordinator of the CPN-UML Jhapa Constituency No. 5 Election Mobilization Committee, stated that Oli visited the hospital for an inspection, not for election campaigning. “The Chairman himself allocated the budget for the construction of the hospital building. He went there to inspect that building. The claim that services were affected or that there were any slogans or processions is untrue.”