Election code of conduct: What are the dos and don’ts

KATHMANDU: The election code of conduct enforced by the Election Commission (EC) that came into effect since April 8 has prohibited making any expression, publicity, production of electronic materials and publishing and sharing them through social media for and against of any side in a way to directly affect the electoral process.

According to EC Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel, the Commission has laid emphasis on monitoring and enforcement of code of conduct this time when there were huge complaints regarding election influence with the misuse of power and money in previous election.

“Prohibitions are made to disseminate fake information on social media, operate fake accounts and sites and produce and publicize any content on any form in a way to defame anyone”, states the election code of conduct.

The EC has urged to use the social media in a dignified and well-managed way as the political parties or candidates are allowed to make publicity thoughts heir private or official page by presenting their principles, thoughts, commitment and action.

The code of conduct has banned producing, distributing and demonstrating symbolic materials such as jacket, shirt, vest, T-shirt, cap, towel, masks, locket or any wearing or sticker logo, bag, batch and tattoo showing election symbol of political party or candidate.

The political parties, candidates, and sister organizations of the parties are required to conduct rally, gathering, corner meet, meeting and election publicity in a civilized and disciplined manner.

But, those attending election publicity rally or mass gathering are not permitted to wear any materials demonstrating election symbol of any party, the code of conduct noted.

The employees, representatives of political party or candidates, voting representative and vote count representatives should sign the commitment paper before being mobilized in the election related tasks.

The EC has clarified that the code of conduct is not meant to suppress citizen’s right to knock the courts on any matter related to election results but to enhance election fairness and integrity.