Major Nepali and English newspapers published from Kathmandu on Monday have prioritised issues related to the second phase of provincial and federal parliamentary elections as the polls are just three days away. Some newspapers have published interviews of top leaders of various parties, in which they have expressed confidence over their parties’ exciting performances in the polls.
The arrest of alleged mastermind of construction entrepreneur Sharad Kumar Gauchan’s murder has also received significant attention in the newspapers today.
Important
Yadav confident of security as silence period begins tonight
Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav has expressed his confidence that security personnel are confident enough to provide security to the voting slated for Thursday. Organising a press meet at the Election Commission yesterday, Yadav said voters would be safe to cast their votes, hence voting would be held peacefully, reports Gorkhapatra.
“The Commission has received a full assurance from the government for security for the polls. There will be an environment in which voters can cast their votes and return home safely,” he has been quoted.
On the other hand, the government has stepped up security arrangements in various districts where the second phase of polls will be held, reports Republica. But, Abhiyan analyses that the security measures adopted so far is largely ineffective.
Meanwhile, the Commission is imposing a ban on election campaigns of political parties and their candidates from the midnight today. Customarily, the silence period begins 48 hours before the voting.
The election code of conduct bars parties and their candidates, independent candidates, office bearers of parties, general voters and mediapersons from campaigning or soliciting votes during the silence period, informs The Himalayan Times.
Consequently, parties are likely to expedite their campaigning on the last day today, reports Naya Patrika in its anchor story.
Reparation deal to woo Badarmudhe voters
CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been repeatedly saying that the killing of 38 civilians in an ambush attack in Badarmudhe of Chitwan district was the biggest blunder of Maoist war. Now, Dahal is contesting parliamentary polls from Chitwan-3, where Badarmudhe also lies, and the former warrior is struggling hard to solicit votes from kin of the victims.
In this context, he signed an agreement, according to which the families of the deceased and injured would be provided employment or allowances on need basis and a memorial would be constructed, reports Republica.
The Himalayan Times says Dahal’s poll ally CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli had accompanied the Maoist leader at the function and he also welcomed the agreement.
Meanwhile, some kin of the victims rejected the pact and floated new demands, according to the report.
Ignored
Reconstruction engineers on the warpath
Engineers recruited by the National Reconstruction Authority to facilitate reconstruction of individual households in places affected by the 2015 earthquake have boycotted a recent oath-taking ceremony, demanding allowances for their training period, reports Karobar.
The Authority has already clarified that the demand could not be met. Hence, their bahaviour was an example of anarchy and indiscipline, comment officials.
The Authority had provided a 10-day training session to the engineers recruited for six months and Chief Executive Officer Yubaraj Bhusal was about to administer the oath to them.
Only 38 per cent MBBS graduates pass NMC licence test
Nepal’s medical practice regulation body, Nepal Medical Council, conducted a licence test for fresh MBBS graduates on Saturday, but just 38 per cent passed, reports Republica. After completing the bachelor’s or master’s degrees in medical sciences, new graduates must pass the NMC test and obtain a professional licence to be eligible to practice medicine in Nepal.
The exam was held to distribute licence to MBBS and BDS graduates. Out of 1,202 MBBS and 85 BDS graduates, only 461 MBBS and 43 BDS graduates passed, according to the report.
12 killed due to viral fever in Mugu
At least 12 persons succumbed to viral fever in various places of Mugu district in mid-western Nepal recently, reports Naya Patrika in its lead story for the day. The District Public Health Office says locals of Khatyad, Roru, Gamtha, Righa, Ratapani, Kotdanda and Shreekot among other places have been victims of the fresh epidemic.
The Office says it does not have sufficient budget to procure needful medicines to combat the crisis.
Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Umakanta Adhikari has commended that reports of viral epidemic were just rumours and the reports deaths were just natural deaths.
Interesting
Nepal all set to import Chinese bandwidth
Nepal Telecom says preparations to import Chinese bandwidth for internet facilities in the country have not been over and customers will use the Chinese bandwidth by the end of this month, according to Karobar lead story. The move is expected to end Nepal’s dependence on India for internet connectivity.
Officials claim it will promote competition, due to which the customers ultimately get quality services.
