For the Record, from the Campaign Trail

Conducts against the election code of conduct: This ‘Constituent Assembly Member Election 2008 Observation Bulletin’ was prepared by the National Election Monitoring Alliance (NEMA). March 31, 2008.

1. CPN Maoist cadres attacked Mr. Ek Nath Ranabhat, Nepali Congress (NC) candidate for Chitawan constituency – two this morning around 900 hours at Jirauna Chowk in Jutpani VDC, Chitwan district. Mr. Ranabhat along with his team was on his way to electoral canvassing. The vehicle used by the team was vandalised where three NC cadres were injured.

The above incident draws attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 33 – No person shall stop, detain or block any candidate from canvassing election for election by committing such acts as using or showing fear, threat or terror or intimidation or force nor shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to cause direct or indirect impacting the election.

2. NC and CPN Maoist cadres confronted each other in Tribhuwan Municipality, Dang – today around 1030 hours while Ms. Anita Devkota, NC candidate and Mr. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, CPN Maoist candidate were on their way to electoral canvassing.

The above incident draws attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 16 – No political party or candidate or their supporters shall disturb or obstruct any procession or mass meeting organised by another party or candidate.

Code No 33 – No person shall stop, detain or block any candidate from canvassing election for election by committing such acts as using or showing fear, threat or terror or intimidation or force nor shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to cause direct or indirect impacting the election.

3. On March 30, 2008, CPN United cadres attacked Mr. Kaman Singh Lama, Rastriya Janamorcha Party candidate for Kavrepalanchowk constituency – one with Khukuri. A total of four Rastriya Janamorcha Party cadres were injured in the incident.

The above incident draws attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 33 – No person shall stop, detain or block any candidate from canvassing election for election by committing such acts as using or showing fear, threat or terror or intimidation or force nor shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to cause direct or indirect impacting the election.

4. An unidentified group has exploded a bomb at the house of Mr. Ananda Prasad Dhungana, NC candidate for Dhanusha constituency – seven in Janakpur Municipality –2, Dhanusha.

The above incident draws attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 33 – No person shall stop, detain or block any candidate from canvassing election for election by committing such acts as using or showing fear, threat or terror or intimidation or force nor shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to cause direct or indirect impacting the election.

5. Armed police Force (APF) has arrested Mr. Kali Bahadur Gharti, CPN Maoist local commander with weapons from Ghorahi, Dang on March 30, 2008. APF has seized one Chinese Pistol, two Magazines, and 12 Round bullets from Mr. Gharti.

The above incident draws attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 13 – In course of election publicity campaigns, carrying of arms and weapons or explosives, or display or use of chemical or poisonous materials, or sticks, spears, Khukuris and the likes of sharp and dangerous nature is prohibited.

6. CPN Maoist cadres have given threatening of intimidation to the people in Arkhala, Jaubari, Mithukaram, Ruchang, Dedgaun VDCs under Nawalparashi district constituency – one if voters do not cast vote to their party. Likewise, CPN Maoist cadres have also threatened Mr. Mahendra Dhoj GC, NC candidate for Nawalparashi constituency – two and Mr. Jivan Shrestha, UML candidate for the same constituency.

The above incidents draw attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 16 – No political party or candidate or their supporters shall disturb or obstruct any procession or mass meeting organised by another party or candidate.

Code No 33 – No person shall stop, detain or block any candidate from canvassing election for election by committing such acts as using or showing fear, threat or terror or intimidation or force nor shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to cause direct or indirect impacting the election.

7. CPN UML and CPN Maoist’s flags have been found burnt at bus park in Dadeldhura district. CPN UML and CPN Maoist have blamed Nepali Congress for the incident, and called strike the district headquarters to protest it. There have been few clashes taken place between the cadres of NC and CPN UML and CPN Maoist in the district headquarters. NC has denied the allegation. However, it is said that NC cadres did so in response to CPN Maoists attempt to attack Mr. sher Bahadur Deuba, NC leader the other day.

The above incident drawd attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 16 – No political party or candidate or their supporters shall disturb or obstruct any procession or mass meeting organised by another party or candidate.

Code No 33 – No person shall stop, detain or block any candidate from canvassing election for election by committing such acts as using or showing fear, threat or terror or intimidation or force nor shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to cause direct or indirect impacting the election.

Code No 35 – if any person or groups obstruct a canvassing program organized by any political party or candidate, such party or candidate shall make a verbal request or an application to the local administration to take action against such person or group in accordance with the law. No political party, candidate, activist or supporter shall, on their own, take any kind of action against such person or group.

8. On March 30, 2008, a group CPN Maoist cadre, comprising 50-60 individuals, attacked CPN UML electoral canvassing team in Belwa VDC, Bardiya district. The group was equipped with weapons. CPN UML cadre Mr. Jhurela Sai was severely injured who has been taken Kathmandu for treatment.

The above incident draws attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 13 – In course of election publicity campaigns, carrying of arms and weapons or explosives, or display or use of chemical or poisonous materials, or sticks, spears, Khukuris and the likes of sharp and dangerous nature is prohibited.

Code No 16 – No political party or candidate or their supporters shall disturb or obstruct any procession or mass meeting organised by another party or candidate.

Code No 33 – No person shall stop, detain or block any candidate from canvassing election for election by committing such acts as using or showing fear, threat or terror or intimidation or force nor shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to cause direct or indirect impacting the election.

9. CPN Maoist Brigade Commander Mr. Dipendra Bahadur Shahi and Maoist cadre Mr. Naulo B.K were seen electoral canvassing in Kalikot district with weapons.

The above incident draws attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 13 – In course of election publicity campaigns, carrying of arms and weapons or explosives, or display or use of chemical or poisonous materials, or sticks, spears, Khukuris and the likes of sharp and dangerous nature is prohibited.

10. An unidentified group has attacked to two NC cadres with knives in in Ghagra VDC, sunsary on 31 March 2008.

The above incident draws attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 33 – No person shall stop, detain or block any candidate from canvassing election for election by committing such acts as using or showing fear, threat or terror or intimidation or force nor shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to cause direct or indirect impacting the election.

11. CPN Maoist and Nepali Congress cadres have clashed in Bandipur, Tanahu district on March 31, 2008. The clash broke when CPN Maoist cadres attempted to disrupt the electoral mass meeting while Mr. Govinda Raj Joshi Nepali, NC candidate was addressing. The Police fired tow rounds in air to disperse the mass and take the situation under control. In the scuffle, a total of six CPN Maoist, six NC cadres and three policemen are reported to have sustained injury.

The above incident draws attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 16 – No political party or candidate or their supporters shall disturb or obstruct any procession or mass meeting organised by another party or candidate.

Code No 33 – No person shall stop, detain or block any candidate from canvassing election for election by committing such acts as using or showing fear, threat or terror or intimidation or force nor shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to cause direct or indirect impacting the election.

Code No 31 – No person shall distract any employee associated with election and security personnel from responsibility to maintain peace and security from his or her duties by way of showing or exercising any kind of fear, terror, threat or force by showing gratification.

12. An unidentified group has opened fire on Mr. Chakra Pandey, district chairman, Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum (MJAF) at Kapilvastu Municipality – 13, Kapilvastu district around 1600 hours.

The above incident draws attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 33 – No person shall stop, detain or block any candidate from canvassing election for election by committing such acts as using or showing fear, threat or terror or intimidation or force nor shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to cause direct or indirect impacting the election.

13. Unidentified group comprising three individuals exploded bomb at the market place at Hatiya, in Rajbiraj Municipality –1, in Saptari district. A grocery shop owned by Mr. Ram Kumar Singh Chaudhary and Madina shoe store were caused minor damage. Among them, Mr. Manish Kumar yadav, resident of Singiyona VDC, Saptari has been arrested by the local people. Mr. Yadav has been kept in the policy custody, Saptari.

The above incident draws attention to following codes of ‘The Code of Conduct on Election to Members of the Constituent Assembly 2007’:

Code No 33 – No person shall stop, detain or block any candidate from canvassing election for election by committing such acts as using or showing fear, threat or terror or intimidation or force nor shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to cause direct or indirect impacting the election.