The Election Commission (EC) has sought explanations from CPN-UML and five national dailies for violating election code of conduct by simultaneously publishing big advertisements of the party on Tuesday.
The EC has given 24 hours to the party and Kantipur, Nagarik, Annapurna, Naya Patrika and Rajdhani dailies to submit clarifications for publishing the big advertisements with a photo of UML Chairman KP Oli and urging the voters to vote on the party's election symbol sun.
Deepa Prasad Timalsina of the EC said UML has violated the provision that allows publication of an advertisement in only one newspaper in a day, while the newspapers have published a bigger advertisement than the size prescribed. "We found UML simultaneously published big advertisements in five dailies in a day," he said. "We have sought clarification from the newspapers for not paying attention toward size while publishing the advertisements."
Clause 5 B(I) of the Election Code of Conduct allows advertisements not longer than a minute, four times in 24 hours and in a gap of at least an hour. The parties similarly can publish an advertisement of up to 7x7 inch and only in a single newspaper in a day.
Spokesperson of the election mobilization committee of UML Bishnu Rimal said the party will soon give its official position on the EC's clarification. "We will soon issue a press statement to reveal the official position of our party," he stated.
EC Spokesperson Nava Raj Dhakal pointed that the media and parties alike have honored the election code of conduct in each election, and hoped that it will be same this time as the parties have expressed commitment for total compliance.
