Surunga: Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya today said the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives would be organised in a free, fair and peaceful environment.     

The EC was effortful to ensure that the vote would not be affected due to security reasons and the vested interests of any contesting political parties or candidates.     

"Re-election would not take place except in case of natural disasters affecting the polls. Those contesting parties or candidates trying to affect the vote would face action as per the laws," he said at an event with the theme of 'effective implementation of the election code of conduct and role of stakeholders' organised today in Birtamod of Jhapa district jointly by the EC and the Nepal Law Society.     

The EC has launched various awareness campaigns across the country and it is effortful to stop election-related misleading and fake news and information, and hate speeches on social sites, in a bid to create awareness about elections and voting, he said.     

The programme was attended by also the chief returning officer Chandra Mani Gyawali, Chief District Officer Chhabi Rijal, police chief Bishwo Mani Pokharel, office bearers of the Nepal Bar Association, election candidates and chairs and representatives of district political parties and civil society. (RSS)