Kathmandu, 28 Aug : Nepal’s Election Commission has proposed changes in the election rules. In the ballot papers inclusion of the option of ‘No Vote’ has been proposed. The election will stand cancelled if more than 50 per cent of voters opt for this option of ‘No Vote’.
Election Commission Chief Dinesh Thapalia informed representatives of all political parties on Monday about the proposed change. He also sought their suggestions on the proposed changes.
Thapalia said that several nations, including India, have made such an option available to the voters. In Nepal, the issue was discussed earlier, but consensus was not reached. The other amendments proposed include the timely conduct of elections; the Election Commission to have the right to fix the dates of elections etc. The elections should be held on the first Sunday after every four years and 11 months. In case of any emergent situation, the elections can be deferred by six months. The rights, however, should be vested in the Election Commission and not the ruling party.
