Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari has said that the upcoming March 5 elections will be held in a free and fair, impartial and fear-free environment.
In a public appeal made on the eve of the filing of nominations, Bhandari emphasized for support from all sides as the election is the only alternative to elections. Filing of nominations for the House of Representatives are being held from 10 am to 5 pm on Tuesday, with the election code of conduct already coming in to effect since 12 am Sunday mid-night, according to the Election Commission sources. Bhandari said that the nomination papers should be submitted within the stipulated time fixed by the commission and after submission, the legal process including investigation will start.
He said that everyone should abide by the court order regarding the election, and clarified that the commission cannot analyze the matter in court and say that this will happen or that will not happen. “If a candidate who has to submit the nomination papers cannot reach the nomination venue, the law has already provided for filing of nominations through his/her legal representative. We have informed about this through various guidelines,” informed Acting Chief Election Commissioner Bhandari.
