KATHMANDU: The Election Commission has declined a request of Nepal Communist Party (NCP) co chairs Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Madhav Kumar Nepal to halt the ongoing election process.
Earlier today, the NCP leaders duo had met the Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Thapaliya at the Election Commission and urged him to stop all election related preparations until the Supreme Court settles the cases challenging the government’s decision to dissolve the House of Representatives and set dates for midterm election.
The Election Commission,however, told them that it cannot halt the election process citing that it needs a court order to do so, according to Lilamani Pokharel, a standing committee member of the NCP.
Stating that it is a responsibility of the Election Commission to conduct election after the government announces the date of polls, he told the leaders duo that the election program can be stopped only if the court issues the verdict, said Pokharel.
Prachanda and Nepal had reached the Commission to submit the letter of updated details of the party. Earlier last week, the Election Commission had sought updated details of the party from both rival factions.
Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s decision to dissolve the House on December 5 has left the ruling NCP on the verge of a split. Each faction led by Prachanda and Oli are claiming the party they lead as the legitimate NCP.
The dispute over the recognition has now landed at the Election Commission.
