Kathmandu, Jan 14: The Election Commission (EC) has decided to enforce election code of conduct from January 16 for the forthcoming National Assembly election. The EC issued a press release informing that the Section 1 of Election Code of Conduct, 2079, and Section 22 of Election Commission Act would be effective for all citizens, agencies and officials from January 16 to 26.
The election to the members of National Assembly is being held for 19 seats on January 25. As per 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 the government schools or publications can not be used as spaces for electioneering.
Similarly, production, sale, distribution and publicity of anything bearing election symbols of any party/candidate or party logos are not allowed by the code.
Other prohibitions as per election law are- use of children, publicity of election by assassinating character of women, senior citizen, 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 election code of conduct, violation of confidentiality of the voters and indulgence in dispute with the voters or election staffs 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, office bearers of the public offices who are involved in the election campaign obtaining permission from the commission are restricted to use government resources.
They are also made aware of silence period.
