Kathmandu, March 21: CPN (UML) Chairperson KP Sharma Oli has accused the Election Commission (EC)’s decision to seek the resignation of people’s representatives before the local level election was influenced by prejudice.

During his address to the party’s politburo meeting here today to discuss issues relating to the preparations for the election, the main opposition leader claimed that the party could not be totally convinced about the EC’s decisions including changing the colour of the ballot paper for the local poll. The erstwhile Prime Minister was confident that the party would storm back to power with a majority of votes in the upcoming elections. He went on to say that the party aspired to further strengthen its ties with the neighbouring countries for, what he said, the safeguard and sovereignty of the nation.

Conducting the meeting, party general secretary Shankar Pokharel, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination today, spends his words in reverence to the survivors of the caste-based discrimination at home, pledging to stand against such discrimination and help build a discrimination-free society.

Review of contemporary politics, party’s manifesto for the upcoming local level election and the shortlisting of election candidates are among the agenda of the politburo meeting held first time after the party’s 10th national congress. The meeting took place on eve of the party's third central committee meeting scheduled for March 23-24.