KATHMANDU: With 60 days remaining until the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, the Election Commission (EC) has enforced a code of conduct outlining strict restrictions on election-related activities.
Under the code, government and semi-government bodies are prohibited from carrying out any activities in favour of or against any political party or candidate. Public resources, programs, and projects may not be used in a manner that benefits or harms any contestant. Activities that obstruct election management, voter education programs, or damage or alter election-related materials are also strictly forbidden.
The code further states that government offices, public institutions, universities, schools, and colleges cannot be used for election rallies, meetings, or propaganda. Political parties and candidates are barred from producing, using, selling, distributing, or displaying clothing or symbolic materials—such as jackets, T-shirts, caps, masks, badges, stickers, logos, bags, lockets, or tattoos—bearing party symbols or election signs.
In addition, political activities or campaign materials may not be placed on private or institutional property without the explicit consent of the owner. The code explicitly prohibits the use of children in any form of election campaigning or propaganda.
The Election Commission has also banned campaign activities that obstruct public movement, including processions, public meetings, and gatherings. Furthermore, the dissemination of false, misleading, or hateful content on social media during the election period is strictly prohibited.
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