KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has urged its members to fully abide by the journalist code of conduct and play a neutral role during the upcoming local level elections slated for May 13.

The fifth extended meeting of the FNJ central committee held Thursday called on its members to disown membership if the FNJ prior to deciding to become an election candidate.

Any probable candidate and who is the FNJ member has been requested to bear in mind the prestige, image and identity of the organization and quit the membership, the FNJ said in a press note.

The meeting decided that if any office-bearer or member in the FNJ structures registers the election candidacy, such person shall be automatically relieved from the post right from that time in accordance with the spirit and provisions of FNJ statute.

Moreover, the meeting agreed to assign its Code of Conduct Department and Disciplinary Committee to monitor the role of FNJ members during the election and reports the details.

The meeting held virtually was chaired by FNJ Chair Bipul Pokhrel.