Last day of election campaigning in Nepal

Kathmandu, Apr 7: Political parties are busy in their election campaign as today is the last day to attract voters to their respective planks ahead of the April 10 Constituent Assembly elections. The parties will have to wrap up their campaigning before midnight on Monday after which, the 'silent period' will start. Besides contesting candidates, even media will need to observe the 'silent period.'

"Media must not propagate campaigning activities or relay news reports about specific candidates or parties. But this does not mean that they cannot report election activities, promote voters' education and engage in normal duties," nepalnews quoted Laxman Bhattarai, Election Commission (EC) spokesperson as saying. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed fears that Maoist activities are spoiling the election.

"Maoist chief Prachanda says one thing, his workers do quite the opposite. What is this happening? I cannot understand. If attacks against other parties continue, the election could be stalled even at the last moment. Even, the international community will not give legitimacy to an election held amid these types of Maoist activities," Deuba said.

He added that if an election has to be held in this kind of atmosphere, then the army must be mobilised. "This government must understand. It must take action against anyone trying to spoil the election," he said.

ANI