Nepal EC prevented journalists from covering vote count:FNJ

Kathmandu, Apr 12 (UNI) The Federation of Nepalese Journalist (FNJ) condemned the government authorities for preventing journalists from covering vote count in several places.

''This makes the FNJ worried because the EC has prevented journalists from collecting information even after issuing press passes to reach polling centres and counting stations,'' a press release issued by the Federation yesterday stated.

''The act of preventing journalists from entering the counting stations is a sheer violation of people's right to information,'' the FNJ stated. It called the government, political parties and the security agencies to allow the journalists to easily gather the information, the Himalayan Times reported today.

It also condemned Young Communist League (YCL) cadres for issuing life threat to Ujayalo FM's reporter Amrit Baskune.

The federation stated that cadres of the Maoist youth wing threatened to kill Mr Baskune while he was collecting information in Janapriya Secondary School polling centre in Myagdi district yesterday.

''FNJ wants to draw the attention of the Maoists to stop such activities,'' the release stated.

Meanwhile issuing its perliminary election observation report, the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) said the election would be a turning point in Nepal's history by deciding the fate of the monarchy and drafting a new constitution.

''This election has given opportunity to women, Dalit, Janajati, Madheshi and the other marginalised people to ensure their future,'' said NBA president Bishwo Kanta Mainali in a press release.

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