NA Election: Code of conduct in effect from Jan 16

Kathmandu: The Election Commission (EC) has decided to enforce the election code of conduct from January 16 for the forthcoming National Assembly election.

The EC issued a press release informing that Section 1 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2079, and Section 22 of the Election Commission Act would be effective for all citizens, agencies, and officials from January 16 to 26. The election of the members of the National Assembly is being held for 19 seats on January 25.

As per the code of conduct, any public resource and property can not be used for or against any election candidate; distortion of election-related content and information is not allowed; and government schools or publications can not be used as spaces for electioneering.

Similarly, the code does not allow the production, sale, distribution, and publicity of anything bearing election symbols of any party/candidate or party logos. Other prohibitions as per election law are- the use of children, publicity of election by the assassinating character of women, senior citizens, disabled people, and community of sexual and gender minorities; conduct of kind of procession, general assembly, corner meeting, meetings, and election promotional activities in the prohibited time and areas; spread of false, misleading or malicious information in social media, hate-speech, insult to other candidates among others intended at influencing the election.

Since the enforcement of the election code of conduct, violation of confidentiality of the voters and indulgence in disputes with the voters or election staff deployed in the polling stations are not allowed.

Any actions or activities that sully the impartiality and fairness of the election are prohibited. Ministers in federal and provincial governments and office bearers of the public offices who are involved in the election campaign obtaining permission from the commission are restricted from using government resources. They are also made aware of the silence period.

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