Man Arrested in Baitadi for Allegedly Distributing Cash During Election Silence Period

Dhangadhi. A man has been arrested in Baitadi for allegedly distributing cash to influence voters during the silence period of the election. The local 52-year-old Bhantadev Bhatta was taken into custody by a patrol team of the Armed Police Force on Wednesday afternoon from Khoclekh in Dogadakedar Rural Municipality-3 of the district.

NPR 79,500 in cash and election-related training materials were recovered from Bhatta's possession. According to DSP Deepak Kumar Ray of the District Police Office, Baitadi, Bhatta was apprehended by the Armed Police while engaging in suspicious activities in violation of the silence period.

He has been kept at the District Police Office for further investigation. The arrested Bhatta is a member of the Kisan Mahasangh, which is close to the Nepali Congress. However, he is accused of trying to influence Congress voters in collusion with CPN-UML candidates and cadres.

After Congress's own cadres became suspicious of their leader's activities, the Nepali Congress Baitadi had written a letter to the District Administration Office on Tuesday itself, requesting increased surveillance on Bhatta.

Based on the secret information and letter provided by the Nepali Congress, the administration had increased surveillance on Bhatta.

Attempting to sway votes by financially influencing voters during the silence period is considered a serious violation of the election code of conduct. The police stated that a detailed investigation is underway regarding the purpose of the recovered cash and its origin.