KATHMANDU: With only four days remaining for the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5, the Election Commission (EC) has clarified that many categories of vehicles will not require special passes on polling day.
The Commission stated that under the Procedure for Vehicle Permits, 2082, arrangements have been made to ensure vehicle movement remains systematic, effective and friendly to essential services. It has recommended that vehicles used solely by concerned service providers and not carrying unrelated passengers be allowed to operate without passes.
According to the EC, vehicles transporting drinking water, milk, fruits, vegetables, fish, meat and petroleum products will not need passes. Similarly, vehicles engaged in telecommunications, drinking water supply, electricity and sewage maintenance, as well as hospital service vehicles, including those used by doctors and health workers commuting between home and hospital, will be exempt.
Passengers traveling on international and domestic flights will also be allowed to travel between airports and their homes or hotels without requiring vehicle passes. Vehicles carrying pregnant women, mothers with infants, persons with disabilities, physically challenged individuals, senior citizens unable to walk, and one accompanying assistant will likewise be permitted to operate freely.
Vehicles belonging to diplomatic missions bearing ‘CD’ number plates, those used by election observers with Commission-issued identity cards (restricted to designated areas), vehicles deployed by the National Human Rights Commission for monitoring, and vehicles operated by media personnel holding press passes will also be allowed smooth movement.
The Commission further informed that an integrated vehicle movement desk has been set up at its premises with representatives from the Election Commission, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the District Administration Office, Kathmandu.
The desk is issuing vehicle passes that would otherwise be provided by the District Administration Offices of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur.
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