KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has proposed new restrictions aimed at reducing the excessive use of flags during election campaigns.
The provisions are included in the draft code of conduct for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026.
Under the proposed rules, a political party or candidate will be allowed to use a maximum of 10 flags during campaign activities such as public meetings, rallies, corner meetings, and door-to-door visits. The Election Commission said the measure is intended to prevent the unnecessary and excessive use of party flags.
The draft code also allows the placement of only one party flag made of cloth, measuring three by four feet, along with an election symbol of the same size, at a party or candidate’s office. The use of digital boards, flex or pasted signboards, audio materials, and audio-visual displays for promotional purposes will not be permitted.
According to the proposal, only one banner or flex displaying the name and election symbol of the party or candidate may be used. Door-to-door campaigns will be limited to a maximum of 25 people, including the candidate, proposers, and supporters. The use of musical instruments and tableaux during campaigns will also be prohibited.
The draft further restricts online and electronic promotion (propaganda), banning promotion through websites, television, scrolling displays, shopping malls, call centers, ATM screens, counters, street plays, and similar platforms. However, political parties and candidates will be allowed to post campaign materials on up to one official and one private website.
The proposed code of conduct also prohibits the installation of pylons displaying party flags or election symbols in public places, graffiti, the organization of rallies, and campaigning using any type of vehicle, including four-wheelers, motorcycles, bicycles, bullock carts, rickshaws, and handcarts.
The Election Commission said the proposed code of conduct aims to ensure that elections are conducted in a clean, peaceful, and dignified manner.
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