Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav has urged the political parties to abide by the election code of conduct.

Speaking at an interaction organised in Dhadingbeshi on Monday, Yadav said incidents of code of conduct violation would be checked if the political parties respected democratic norms and values. He said he had found parties’ publicity materials put up in violation of the code on the highway.

Chiefs of the security agencies, district chiefs of various parties and election officials attended the programme. When representatives of smaller forces complained that major parties blatantly violated the code of conduct and barred fringe political groups from carrying out campaigns in the district, Yadav denounced any activities that prevent people from exercising their franchise. He termed any attempts to disrupt the elections and bar people from using their voting rights “crime” in democracy.

Without naming any party, Nepali Congress district President Ramesh Dhamala said polling booths in some remote northern villages like Sertung and Jharlang are always captured, preventing villagers from casting their votes. Other parties are barred from entering the settlements for publicity campaign, he complained.

Other demands were security for candidates and an environment for voters to cast their ballot without fear.

They also complained of a lack of effective voter education programme in the district. Responding to their concerns, Yadav assured of bolstering security for free and fair elections.