Kathmandu, Jan 18: The Election Commission (EC) has geared up the implementation of election code of conduct and also set up the office of the returning officer. The EC had also held a discussion with the political parties registered for participating in the House of Representatives (HoR) member election-2082 in connection with the implementation of Election Code of Conduct, 2082.
The discussion was held in the presence of Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari and Commissioners Dr. Janaki Kumari Tuladhar and Sagun Shamsher JB Rana, along with the Commission Secretary Krishna Bahadur Raut.
The political parties present on the occasion expressed their commitment to help conduct the upcoming election in a free, fair, and fear-free environment.
The parties’ representatives said that they would ensure the faithful implementation of the Constitution, the Election Commission Act, 2073, the Political Parties Act, 2073, the Election (Offences and Punishments) Act, 2073, the House of Representatives Member Election Act, 2074, the National Assembly Member Election Act, 2075, and the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, along with other election-related laws.
In the context of the elections, they expressed their commitment to be present when called upon by the Commission, the Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee and Sub-committee, Election Officers, and Polling Officers.
The commission has stated that it has received suggestions such as the need for effective monitoring in the implementation of the code of conduct, and that the commission should be vigilant in checking and regulating fake information, propaganda, and hate speech disseminated through social media.
During the discussion, Bhandari urged the representatives of all political parties to participate in the election by complying with the law and not engaging in politics of prohibition.
Election Commissioner Sagun Shamsher JB Rana, who also serves as the coordinator of the Central Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, provided information on the use of social media monitoring tools by the EC for the regulation of social media. Representatives of the political parties expressed their commitment to implement the prevailing election laws and the election code of conduct.
He indicated that the election code of conduct will be implemented fairly with cooperation from all political parties.
EC spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai informed that offices of Chief Returning Officer have been set up in all 77 districts and offices of Returning Officer in 88 electoral constituencies for the first-past-the-post electoral system.
