Elected Official Candidate in Siraha Demanded to Submit Clarification After Being Caught With Cash During Silence Period

Siraha. Five individuals, including Ashweshwar Yadav, the candidate for the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal (JSPN) for Siraha-3, who were arrested with cash during the silence period for the House of Representatives election, have been directed to submit clarification within three days.

The Election Officer's Office in Siraha has directed Yadav, who was apprehended with cash in violation of the code of conduct during the election's silence period, to submit a clarification within three days. The Chief Election Officer of Siraha, Shriprakash Upreti, stated that after studying all the documents, a deadline of three days has been given to submit the clarification.

He said, “We have studied all the documents; for now, we have given them a chance to submit clarification within three days. Further proceedings will move forward based on the clarification and evidence they submit.”

He informed that all five arrested individuals have been released for the time being. Upreti stated that the seized cash, vehicle, and related materials have been temporarily impounded. He also mentioned that the investigation is ongoing and action will be taken according to election law.

Police had taken Yadav into custody last night near the Nepal-India border area in Mader with NPR 487,000 during the silence period.

Yadav's group was apprehended with the cash during a joint check of the Scorpio vehicle with registration number Pradesha 2-02-001 Cha 087, which was traveling from Mader towards the Siraha district headquarters.

Along with Yadav, Shyam Kumar Yadav (32) from Bishnupur-5 Laxmipur, Ram Pravesh Yadav (35), Bapendra Kumar Yadav (40), and the vehicle driver Jitendra Kumar Mahato (28) from Naraha-3 were also arrested.

The code of conduct states that the Election Commission can fine political parties or candidates involved in financial transactions during the silence period in accordance with Sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 30 of the Election (Offenses and Penalties) Act, 2073.

The code of conduct also includes a provision that the Commission can disqualify a candidate from contesting any election for up to six years, effective immediately, if they fail to pay the fine within six months.