Election Commission Releases Code of Conduct for Scrutiny

Kathmandu, November 14 – The Election Commission unveiled the preliminary election code of conduct on Thursday, inviting input from politica...

Kathmandu, November 14 – The Election Commission unveiled the preliminary election code of conduct on Thursday, inviting input from political parties and the public to refine it prior to its implementation.

The code of conduct prepared under section 22 of the Election Commission aims to ensure fair, unbiased, and open elections within a setting free from intimidation.

The 49-page guidelines for the March 5 elections prohibit political parties or candidates from creating, utilizing, distributing, or showcasing clothing or items featuring the election symbol (including jackets, shirts, vests, T-shirts, caps, scarves, masks, badges, or any other type of apparel) as well as stickers, logos, bags, badges, tattoos, or other symbolic materials.

The code of conduct, which will be implemented following the incorporation of feedback, specifies that no government, semi-government, or public organization, along with school or university facilities, can be utilized for assemblies, campaigns, or promotional activities. The involvement of children in election campaigns is not allowed.

No demonstrations, gatherings, or public events that interfere with transportation are permitted for campaign activities. It is not allowed to share false, deceptive, or inciting information on social media platforms. Similarly, the creation of fake profiles or fabricated content on social media that might harm the election is forbidden. Additionally, government entities are not allowed to hold groundbreaking or opening ceremonies during this time.

Other than staff deployed for electoral activities, no staff movements will be allowed.

Public sector workers, educators, and personnel at educational institutions are prohibited from engaging in electoral campaigns. Campaign activities may take place between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, with political parties or candidates restricted to using banners no larger than three feet by four feet.

According to the draft election guidelines, a single candidate is permitted to use just two vehicles for campaign purposes. The commission has suggested that parties may run advertisements in newspapers, but only one per day.

"In the case of FM radio and television, a political party can only air its campaign content four times in a 24-hour period," states a provision in the draft code of conduct. The election commission has suggested a 48-hour blackout prior to the election day.

If the current draft remains unchanged, a Central Monitoring Committee composed of 11 members will be established under the direction of an election commissioner. This committee will include representatives from various ministries and security agencies. Likewise, at the district level, a District Monitoring Committee will be set up under the supervision of the Chief District Election Commissioner.

Individuals who breach the code of conduct could be subject to consequences, such as a penalty of up to 100,000 rupees or the revocation of their nomination. Furthermore, they might be prohibited from participating in elections for a period of six years.

We have distributed it to all political parties and made it available on our website for comments," stated Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the commission's spokesperson. "It will be finalized and released in the national gazette prior to its implementation.

The short conversations regarding the code of conduct took place during the commission's meeting with representatives from various political parties on Thursday. At the meeting, leaders from different parties expressed a range of views on the matter.

Prem Suwal, a leader from the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party, called for reducing the number of days allocated for campaigning. According to the overall plan, there will be 40 days starting from the day nominations are submitted until the voting day. Although the commission has stated that there will be 15 days of campaigning, he mentioned that real campaign activities actually start from the nomination day.

He maintained that both the commission and the government are responsible for providing security assurances to guarantee free and equitable elections.

He stated that the commission should engage in discussions with the National Security Council and clarify the security conditions throughout the country.

Throughout the meetings, representatives from the involved political parties shared their worries about the election arrangements and matters related to peace and safety. Mukti Pradhan, a figure from the Nepali Communist Party, stated that elections should take place within the scheduled timeframe and recommended establishing a conducive atmosphere.

Prakash Adhikari, a representative of the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, mentioned that conducting elections at this time is difficult and that they have been keeping track of the current preparations.