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From the Kathmandu Press: Wednesday, November 22, 2017

File image: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba with election commissioners

Major Nepali and English newspapers published from Kathmandu on Wednesday have prioritised issues about upcoming provincial and federal parliamentary elections. Some newspapers have highlighted the transfer of some chief district officers claiming the decision was against election code of conduct. Likewise, the ineffectiveness of voter education programme has also been highlighted in many papers.

A bomb hoax at the Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon has also received significant attention.

Important

Security budget upped as elections come closer

Annapurna Post says the Ministry of Finance in past four days released a budget of Rs 9 billion to the Ministry of Home Affairs for security management for upcoming elections. The report, however, comments that the security situation is still not satisfactory.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Mohan Krishna Sapkota informs the paper that the government has already identified security challenges and security personnel have been kept on standby to avoid any untoward incident.

Security bodies in Kathmandu Valley have identified six of 15 constituencies as critical and tightened security in these areas. The constituencies include 2, 3, 6, 7 and 10 of Kathmandu and 1 of Lalitpur, according to Nagarik.

The Himalayan Times says Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav has asked the government to ensure adequate security for all voters so that they can cast votes in a free and fearless environment.  Yadav also addressed top security officials highlighting the need of tight security yesterday, according to Gorkhapatra.

Former tax settlement officials sent to custody

(L-R) Lumbadhwaj Mahat and Umesh Prasad Dhakal

The Special Court on Tuesday sent former officials of Tax Settlement Commission, Lumbadhwaj Mahat and Umesh Prasad Dhakal, to custody after they failed to post the sought bail amount of Rs 10 million each, reports Nepal Samacharpatra.

The two are facing an embezzlement case filed by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority. The Court was hearing the case since Sunday.

The Court;s spokesperson Nagendra Keshari Shah says the officials have been sent to the Dillibazaar Jail yesterday itself.

Chudamani Sharma, suspended director general of Inland Revenue Department, has also been facing charges. However, he was released from custody few months ago as per a Supreme Court order, reports Republica.

Ignored

Children being used in electioneering

Political party cadres take out a rally as their candidates file nominations for upcoming federal and provincial parliamentary elections on October 22, 2017.

Rajdhani lead story says many political parties and candidates in far-western Nepal are mobilising children in their election campaigns. Though the parties are using children in their school uniforms in their campaigning, the Election Commission has not spoken a word about the issue, the report says. Locals of Achham have told reporters that children are also being used to perform songs and dances at party events.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have expressed concerns over violation of election code of conduct and basic principles of child rights.

11 years on, conflict victims still await justice

Nepal on Tuesday completed 11 years since the signing of Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA). The historic document, besides ending the armed conflict, had also assured justice through transitional justice mechanisms to the victims. However, the victims of decade-long conflict still await justice, reports Republica in its anchor story.

Though the document had assured justice within next six months, the transitional justice mechanisms could not be formed till the ninth year, the report says, adding the twin commissions—TRC and CIEDP—have done very little works towards their objectives in the first three years of their formation, forcing the victims to await more.

Interesting

Nepal wants to extend transmission line to China too

Nagarik anchor story says Nepal wants to end dependence on India for power import and export; hence it is trying to extend its transmission line to the northern neighbour China too. The Nepal Electricity Authority has conducted an onsite study and prepared a technical report about the possibility of such project. A proposal has been sent to China for consideration via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says spokesperson the Ministry of Energy, Dinesh Kumar Ghimire as quoted in the report.

RJPN soliciting votes without manifesto

RJPN leaders Mahantha Thakur (r) and Rajendra Mahato.

Almost all political parties in the country issue their election manifesto before they launch the electioneering. But, the powerhouse of Terai-Madhesh region, Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, is soliciting votes for upcoming federal and provincial assemblies without its manifesto, reports Rajdhani.

The party is partnering with the Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal. The Forum-Nepal, however, has already issued its manifesto.

Though the RJPN does not have its manifesto, its leaders have been presenting agendas of constitution amendment and formation of Madhesh-centric government for the polls.

Nepal will have around 150 ministers after polls

After the conclusion of House of Representatives and provincial assembly polls, there will be around 150 ministers in federal and seven provincial governments, reports Karobar in its lead story for the day.

The constitution has it that the federal government can be as big as consisting 25 members including the prime minister whereas the size of a provincial government should not exceed the 20 per cent mark of the strength of its legislative body.

The size of seven provincial assemblies will be different from each other; therefore the size of provincial governments will also be different.

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