The Election Commission on Sunday sought clarifications from two by-poll candidates and Madhesh chief minister on the charge of flouting the election code of conduct.

The poll body asked candidates from Tanahun-1—Govinda Bhattarai of Nepali Congress and Swarnim Wagle of the Rastriya Swatantra Party—and Madhesh Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav to submit a written response within 24 hours.

The Tanahun-based election monitoring committee has asked Bhattarai to submit an explanation saying it received information that he solicited votes through a voice message on mobile phones during the silence period.

Likewise, Wagle has been asked to submit a clarification after receiving a complaint that he had influenced voters by sharing the status of Rabi Lamichhane, the party’s president.

Similarly, the commission said that the chief minister’s visit to the Pacharauta Municipality while by-elections were underway in Bara-2 was against the election code of conduct.