The Election Commission on Wednesday said that the people holding public positions should seek prior approval from the poll body while attending an election campaign.

Speaking at a press conference organized by the commission, Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said political parties are allowed to hold the second round of the election campaign from Thursday for the November 20 federal and provincial polls.

“An arrangement has been made for federal and provincial ministers to attend an election campaign after seeking approval from the commission. The commission doesn’t curtail the right to travel ensured by the constitution. However, those holding public posts—prime minister, federal and provincial ministers—should seek prior approval from the commission,” said CEC Thapaliya. “They, however, are not allowed to use government resources.”

He added that the commission has so far demanded clarifications from 71 candidates for flouting the election code of conduct. Earlier today, the poll body on Wednesday asked Bina Magar, a CPN (Maoist Centre) candidate from Kanchanpur-1, and CPN-UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai, a candidate from Taplejung, to furnish clarifications within 24 hours on why they breached the code of conduct during electioneering and why the commission shouldn’t take action against them.