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) on April 6, 2008.

1. Young Communist League (YCL) cadres obstructed the Nepali Congress (NC) electoral mass meeting, scheduled to address by party Vice-President Mr. Ram Chandra Poudel, at Kawasoti, Nawalparasi district on April 6, 2008 at 1100 hours. The cadres from both sides were injured in the incident.

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 organized 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.

2. CPN Maoist cadres beat up Mr. Bijaya Dahal, National Election Monitoring Alliance (NEMA) booth observer at Narayan Municipality – 2, Dailekh district on April 6, 2008. CPN Maoist cadres did so putting pressure to vote to their party. Mr. Dahal is sustained with eye injury.

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

Code No 34 – No person shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to disturb the election or create hatred toward election or create confusion or cause obstruction to election.

3. Mr. Deepak Dahal, Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) cadre found dead at Bhigaun VDC, Dhankuta district on April 6, 2008. An unidentified group had abducted Mr. Dahal yesterday night at his sleep.

The above incident draws attention to following code 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. A clash took place between CPN UML and CPN Maoist cadres in Kaptangunj, Satbariya VDC, Dang district on April 6, 2008. The clash took place when CPN Maoist cadres, led by Mr. Indrajit Choudhary, CPN Maoist candidate for Dang Constituency – one, attacked CPN UML district committee meeting. A total of 13 CPN UML cadres were injured in the incident.

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 organized 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.

5. CPN Maoist forcefully engaged children in their electoral procession at Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha district on April 6, 2008.

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

Code No 23 – No children shall be engaged in the holding of any type of procession, mass meeting or rally or in any election-related publicity campaign.

6. YCL cadres attacked NC cadres engaged in electoral campaigning at Jhangajholi VCC- 7, Sindhuli district on April 6, 2008. In the incident, five NC cadres were injured. In another incident, un identified group detonated a bomb at Ramatar, Jhangajholi VDC, Sindhuli district on April 5, 2008.

The above incidents draw 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 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 34 – No person shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to disturb the election or create hatred toward election or create confusion or cause obstruction to election.

7. A clash took place between NC and CPN Maoist cadres in Jhangajholi VDC, Sindhuli district on April 6, 2008. A total of seven NC cadres were injured in the incident, among them Mr. Balaram Acharya is in critical condition.

The above incident draws attention to following code 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.

8. An unidentified group shot Mr. Tika Ram Bhandari, NC cadre, at Khaskusma VDC, Banke district on April 6, 2008. Mr. Bhandari was returning from electoral mass meeting when the incident took place.

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 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. A bomb found in front of Gorkha Departmental Store at Itahari Municipality-4 in Sunsari district on April 6, 2008. Police has taken the bomb in their control.

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

Code No 34 – No person shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to disturb the election or create hatred toward election or create confusion or cause obstruction to election.

10. CPN Maoist cadres beat up and injured Mr. Shankar Karki, NV district President at his home at Chanakhu VDC, Ramechhap district on April 6, 2008. A total of six individuals, including a differently able person were injured in the incident.

The above incident draww 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 organized 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.

11. CPN Maoist cadres attacked and injured Janamorcha Nepal cadres at Majuwa VDC-3, Ramechhap district on April 5, 2008 at 1100 hours. CPN Maoist cadres accused Janamorcha Nepal cadres entering into their base area for 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 organized 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.

12. YCL cadres abducted Mr. Jagatman Tamang, NC cadres from Banakhu VDC, Kavrepalanchowk district. Similarly, YCL cadres prohibited NC cadres for electoral campaigning programme at Foksintar VDC of the same district.

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 organized 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.

13. On April 5, 2008, a clash occurred between the CPN UML and CPN Maoist cadres in Rupandehi district. The clash started after the CPN Maoists accused that the CPN UML cadres tore up their poster at Maunihawa, Rupendehi district. CPN UML has reported that its cadre Mr. Lal Bahadur BK has been out of contact after the incident.

The above incident draws attention to following code 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.

14. YCL cadres attacked a group of CPN UML cadres using baton, who were on the door-to-door electoral campaign, at Bhayalkharka in Lamjung district on April 5, 2008. Nine CPN UML cadres were injured in the attack.

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 organized 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.

15. CPN United cadres assaulted NC electoral canvassing team led by Mr. Manibhadra Sharma, NC candidate for Baglung Constituency – two at Barikot, Hugdishir VDC-7, Baglung district on April 5, 2008. NC team was staying at Mr. Gupta Bahadur Kala’s house at night when the incident took place.

The above incident draws attention to following code 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.

16. YCL cadres attacked NC electoral canvassing team led by NC candidate Mr. Mukti Prasad Sharma at Chunja Deurali, Pyuthan district on April 5, 2008. Mr. Sharma sustained injury on his head and one of the hands in the incident. Other few NC cadres were injured in the attack. In protest of the attack, Nepal Student Union, NC sister organization, called for strike in Pyuthan on April 6, 2008.

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 organized 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 group obstructs a canvassing programme organised 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.

17. An unidentified group detonated a bomb at the house of Mr. Mrigalal Mehata, Madheshi Janaadhikar Forum (MJF) candidate for Sunsari Constituency –four on April 5, 2008. However, Police recovered the bomb from Mr. Meheta’s home.

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 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.

18. An unidentified group detonated bombs at Tripureswor and Sundhara in Kathmandu on April 5, 2008 evening. No casualty caused due to the explostion.

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

Code No 34 – No person shall do, or caused to be done, any act in such a manner as to disturb the election or create hatred toward election or create confusion or cause obstruction to election.

19. CPN Maoist cadres attacked NC electoral canvassing team led by Mr. Deep Kumar Upadhaya in Kapilvastu on April 5, 2008. NC cadre Mr. Rajendra Poudel was injured in the incident. In protesting the incident, NC cadres put obstruction in the highway at Jitpur, Rupandehi district.

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 organized 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.

20. CPN Maoist cadres beat up NC dares at Dawang and Deurali VDCs, Dhading district on April 5, 2008. Five NC cadres were seriously injured Dawang and one in Deurali. CPN Maoist has claimed that the incident took place after NC cadres attempted to loot CPN Maoist publicity materials.

The above incident draws attention to following code 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.

21. Nepali Congress (NC) affiliated youth wing (Tarun Dal) cadres have assaulted Mr. Nanda Bahadur Gurung cadre at Tajebagarchhap VDC, Manag district on April 4, 2008. It has been reported that the NC cadres tore up CPN Maoist party brochure and banner. In Manang district, CPN Maoist cadres attempted to abduct Mr. Phumjo Prasad Gurung, former NC district party President on April 4, 2008.

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

Code No 11 – No pamphlet or election symbol affixed for the purpose of election publicity campaign shall be removed, torn, or got one’s poster posted thereon by any one representing another political 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.

22. Rastriya Janamorcha cadres assaulted Mr. Krishna Pathak, CPN UML candidate under proportional electoral system at Hugdishir VDC, Baglung district on April 4, 2008. The very group had assaulted CPN UML team led by Mr. Pathk on April 2, 2008 too.

The above incident draws attention to following code 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.

23. CPN Maoist cadres beat up Mr. Tek Bahadur Khadka, CPN UML cadre at Pokhari VDC, Doti district on April 2, 2008. The incident took place when dispute arose between two parties with regard to CPN Maoist’s action on obstructing CPN UML electoral mass meeting few days back.

The above incident draws attention to following code 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.