KATHMANDU: The Election Commission has issued the “Vehicle Permit Guidelines, 2026” targeting the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, with the aim of regulating, dignifying, and controlling the use of vehicles during the election campaign and on polling day.
According to the Commission, the guidelines have been enforced to clearly define the process for granting permits for vehicles used by political parties, candidates, and their representatives for election purposes.
As per the procedure approved on February 3, political parties, candidates, or their election representatives must submit an application in the prescribed format to the concerned election officer to obtain a vehicle permit. Upon receiving the application, the election officer will issue permits within the limits set by the guidelines.
For House of Representatives or Provincial Assembly elections, a candidate is allowed to use a maximum of two light vehicles—two-wheelers, three-wheelers, or four-wheelers powered by electricity or fuel. In areas where vehicles cannot operate, up to four horses may be used.
In local level elections, candidates for mayor or deputy mayor of metropolitan and sub-metropolitan cities may use up to two light vehicles. Candidates for mayor, deputy mayor, chairperson, or vice-chairperson of municipalities and rural municipalities are permitted to use one light vehicle. Ward chairpersons and ward members may use one vehicle within their respective wards only. Where vehicles cannot operate, two horses may be used for municipal or rural municipal chiefs and one horse for ward-level candidates.
The guidelines also mandate that while issuing vehicle permits for election campaigning, candidates must be clearly informed that vehicles cannot be used during the silence period. The silence period is defined as the 48 hours prior to polling day until voting is completed.
Vehicles used without permits, or those used during the silence period despite having permits, will be seized and returned only after the completion of the election. The District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee has been tasked with regular monitoring and directing local administration to take action in case of violations.
On polling day, only permitted vehicles will be allowed to operate, except for air services. However, special provisions allow vehicle use on polling day for candidates, security personnel, constitutional bodies and officials, the National Information Commission, observers, diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies, media, foreign tourists, international organizations, election monitors, distinguished guests, and other entities designated by the Commission.
Candidates or their representatives must apply for polling-day vehicle permits by submitting a copy of the candidate’s identity card to the concerned chief election officer or election officer. Other institutions or officials must request permission at least two days prior to polling day with an official letter from their respective bodies.
In Kathmandu district, vehicle permits will be issued through an integrated vehicle movement desk to be established within the Election Commission premises. In other districts, district administration offices will issue permits in coordination with chief election officers.
The guidelines state that vehicles with foreign number plates will not be permitted for election campaigning. However, ambulances, fire engines, drinking water tankers, milk transport vehicles, hearses, hospital services, telecommunications and electricity service vehicles, and diplomatic vehicles bearing ‘CD’ number plates are exempted from the permit requirement.
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