KATHMANDU: The mandatory silence period for the upcoming House of Representatives election begins at midnight tonight, with the Election Commission of Nepal warning of strict action against any violations.
The silence period, which comes into effect 48 hours before polling and remains in place until voting concludes, prohibits all forms of election campaigning and activities that could influence voters.
According to the Commission, political parties, candidates and their supporters are barred from organizing rallies, delivering speeches, holding gatherings, conducting discussions or reviews, and engaging in any form of election publicity. Asking for votes directly or indirectly is strictly prohibited.
The Commission has also banned the use of social media platforms such as SMS, Facebook, Viber and other electronic means to solicit votes or spread campaign messages. Publishing, broadcasting or sharing news, advertisements or promotional materials favoring any candidate or political party during this period is not allowed.
Candidates and parties must remove all campaign materials, including election symbols, banners, posters and pamphlets, from within 300 meters of polling centers before the silence period begins.
Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari stated that any financial transactions or inducements aimed at influencing voters during the silence period could lead to cancellation of candidacy and a ban from participating in elections for up to six years. The Commission has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward activities that undermine free and fair elections.
The silence period is intended to create a calm and neutral environment, allowing voters to reflect independently on the agendas and commitments presented during the campaign and make informed decisions without pressure or influence.
For Thursday’s election, 65 political parties are competing under 61 election symbols in the first-past-the-post system across 165 constituencies, while 110 seats are allocated under the proportional representation system. A total of 3,406 candidates are contesting under the direct system and 3,135 under the proportional system.
There are 18,903,689 registered voters, along with 186,142 temporary voters. Nationwide, 23,112 polling centers have been set up across 10,967 polling stations, including 143 temporary polling sites.
Security arrangements include deployment of Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and other security personnel, while more than 215,000 election officials will be mobilized. The Commission has printed over 42 million ballot papers for both electoral systems, and four international and 39 national organizations will observe the polls.
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