KATHMANDU: With just nine days remaining before the House of Representatives (HoR) election on March 5, the Election Commission (EC) has reminded all concerned stakeholders to strictly comply with the election code of conduct.
The Commission issued the reminder following recent reports of violations and a growing number of complaints. It emphasized that the Government of Nepal, federal and provincial ministers, as well as provincial governments and their ministers, are fully bound by the code.
According to the Commission, the code of conduct applies to all government and provincial bodies, local executives and their members, and employees at the federal, provincial and local levels. Offices and staff of government, semi-government and public institutions are also subject to its provisions.
Media institutions, journalists and media workers, along with schools, colleges and universities and their teachers and staff, fall within the scope of the code. Political parties, their sister organizations, candidates, election representatives, polling agents and counting agents must also adhere strictly to the rules.
The Commission further clarified that private sector banks and financial institutions, cooperatives, and the commercial and industrial sectors, including their officials and employees, are required to follow the code. Commercial enterprises providing goods and services, as well as private and non-governmental organizations and their personnel, are likewise covered.
Constitutional bodies and their officials, security agencies and personnel, election officials and monitors of public office holders are also subject to the code. In addition, voters, observation and monitoring organizations, individuals or bodies designated by the Commission, development partner agencies, government- and semi-government-run projects and their employees, and organizations conducting voter education programs must comply.
The Commission had issued a similar reminder on Sunday after reports surfaced that local executive officials had participated in election campaigning in violation of the code. On Monday, it reiterated that the code of conduct applies fully to both public and private sectors and urged all stakeholders to maintain electoral integrity.
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