Kathmandu. The Central Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee has so far sought clarification from 95 out of 454 complaints received so far. According to the Election Commission, 62 responses have been received from political parties and candidates seeking clarifications. As of now, clarification has been sought from 89 persons while clarification has been sought from six persons, said CIAA Assistant Spokesperson Sita Pun Shris.

Five of the six clarifications have been answered. The commission has so far written a letter to three people. One of them has been answered. According to him, the EC took action against eight persons after they did not get satisfactory response even after seeking clarification.

The EC has also sought clarification from the political parties, candidates, government and non-government organisations, media and journalists for violating the election code of conduct. However, a letter has been sent to the registered media houses and the journalists associated with them through the Press Council Nepal for clarification and other actions. The meeting also sought clarification from the Press Council (NPC) on Setopati Online, which publishes news that the party and candidates are being elected by conducting opinion polls in the name of election analysis.

Complaints against the violation of election code of conduct have been received at the district level and necessary action is being taken. The EC has been forwarding the process of necessary investigation and action on the complaints received in order to minimize the incidents of violation by effectively enforcing the election code of conduct. The commission said that it is further studying the 62 responses received. Law Officer Mohan Raj Joshi said that the Central Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, District Code of Conduct Monitoring Officer and concerned election office have been working for the effective implementation of the code of conduct.

As per Clause 32 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, Assistant Chief District Officers of all 77 districts have been assigned as the Assistant Chief District Officer to monitor non-financial matters and the Chief Fund Comptroller Controller to monitor financial matters in order to ensure the effective implementation of the code of conduct at the district level. According to the Commission, the task of informing the stakeholders about the code of conduct and committing to follow the code of conduct is being carried out in all the districts in a short span of time. It is also stated that the process of legal action has been initiated against those found guilty by seeking clarification from the district itself regarding the complaints received at the district level.

Of the total 1,076 complaints received in the district so far, 1,061 have been cleared, according to the CIAA. Lumbini Province has received the highest number of complaints against the political parties and candidates for violating the election code of conduct, 2082.