Election Commission Affirms Cancellation of Candidacy for Individuals on Blacklist

Kathmandu. The Election Commission has clarified that the candidacies of individuals placed on the blacklist have been canceled based on the law. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari stated this during a special press conference organized by the Commission on Wednesday regarding election preparations and related matters.

'There is a provision for candidates to submit a self-declaration along with personal details when filing their nomination papers,' Bhandari said, 'We had stated that if details are concealed while doing so, it becomes a subject of investigation. In the case of those whose candidacies were canceled, after a complaint was filed, following correspondence and investigation, a decision was made that the candidacy of an individual on the blacklist cannot remain valid.'

He stated that when such candidates were given time, there was no alternative but to cancel their candidacies as they failed to present objective evidence.

During the press conference, Acting Chief Commissioner Bhandari also mentioned that in the case of arrested candidates, the Commission will proceed according to the provisions of the Election Offenses and Punishment Act, in addition to the election code of conduct.

'The Election Commission will address the Election Offenses and Punishment Act,' Bhandari said, 'The Commission can make decisions on some matters related to this. The Chief Election Officer and the polling station can make decisions on some, while the police can also make decisions on others.'

The Commission announced that it will resolve issues concerning jurisdiction that were raised yesterday. The Commission also stated that it will implement a zero-tolerance policy regarding cash transactions.

The candidacy of Kishori Sah Kamal from Dhanusha-1, who was on the blacklist, was canceled. He was a candidate for the Rastriya Swatantra Party.