Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Representatives of the representative organisations including the industry and businesses have demanded the strict enforcement of the election code of conduct-2082 issued by the Election Commission.

Speaking at an interaction with umbrella organisations of the private sector organized by the Election Commission here today targeting the election to the House of Representatives scheduled for March 4, the speakers drew the attention towards the free, fair and free election taking place only if the election code of conduct is followed.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) senior vice-president Anjan Shrestha pointed out policy clarity and political stability to create investment-friendly environment in the private sector. He was of the view that it was necessary to form a stable government by holding the elections.

He also demanded the full implementation of the provision of transacting through banks in a transparent manner while collecting expenditure details of the candidates. Shrestha also pledged to help the Election Commission to conduct the election by publicizing the election code of conduct and voter education from the FNCCI centre and all its branches.

Nepal Chamber of Commerce Chairman Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal said the election code of conduct should be strictly enforced and the monitoring should be strictly enforced, and immediate action should be taken if any violation of election code of conduct was found. According to him, clear boundaries and transparent accounting system were necessary to make the industry systematic, fair and investment-friendly.

Agrawal also said that they were ready to provide necessary support from the industry for adhering to the election code of conduct and voter education.

Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries president Umesh Prasad Singh stressed the need of strictly enforcing the election code of conduct. He said that they were also ready to provide necessary support to the Commission. He expressed happiness over the environment created by the EC that the election would be held in the midst of confusion about whether or not to hold the election in the changing context.

Hotel Association of Nepal’s President Binayak Shah urged the Commission to help create conducive environment for tourists entering Nepal to visit the hotels and destinations during the elections.

Stating that there was a misconception in the international arena that elections could not be held in a peaceful manner after the agitations that took place on September 7 and 24, he urged the Election Commission to provide necessary support in this regard. He also said that they were ready to provide necessary support and coordination during the election.

Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) Chair Sangharsha Bista said his organisation was ready to provide necessary support to the EC on the issues of election code of conduct and voter education.

Chief Executive Officer of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Ram Chandra Sedhai said that the Election Commission should facilitate in managing the tourists coming to Nepal during the election time. He said that tourism management was necessary to disseminate positive information related to the election to the world market. He pledged to support the organisation’s Facebook and website to enforce the election code of conduct.

Salt Trading Corporation’s general manager Urmila Shrestha drew the attention of the EC towards the use of national flag in the election publicity and noise pollution affecting the community. She also pledged to support the election related issues including enforcing the election code of conduct through all the district offices and websites.

On the occasion, Director-General of Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Ghanashyam Ojha pledged to provide support to the Election Commission to implement the election code of conduct in all seven provinces and districts.

Likewise, Mallika Shrestha of the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs suggested the EC itself to produce ballot samples as the political parties have been showing the ballot papers with their election symbols to the voters. She urged the women entrepreneurs to use the materials produced by them during the election. She also said that there was a need to raise awareness about elections for women.