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Issuing a press statement today, EC Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma said that based on two separate reports it was confirmed that vote counting station was captured and hence a decision taken to declare the entire ballot papers of Ward No. 19 invalid and conduct the re-poll.

Accordingly, the EC has directed the Chief Returning Officer of Chitwan to make arrangement for re-poll in the ward by fixing the place, date and time for the same as per the sub-clause (5) of clause 50 of the Local Level Election Act, 2074.

Meanwhile, the CPN-UML has said that it would reject the decision of the Commission to hold re-polling. The meeting today of the UML parliamentary party decided to contest the decision, seeking all kinds of remedy including the legal recourse.

It may be noted that the UML has been obstructing the house, calling for resumption in the counting of votes in Bharatpur-19. Talking to reporters following the meeting, UML Chair KP Sharma Oli accused the Commission of taking the decision under the pressure and influence of the ruling parties. “This decision to encourage those involved in an election offense does not suit democratic norms and values,” he said. RSS