KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to prevent any prohibited activities during the election period and to immediately inform the Commission if such violations occur.
The Commission has requested the Home Ministry to direct all Chief District Officers (CDOs) and security agencies to strictly enforce the election code of conduct during the campaign silence period, which comes into effect from 12:00 pm on March 2.
It also called for the mobilization of designated officials and mechanisms under the District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee to report actions taken against individuals involved in offenses as outlined in Section 24 of the Election (Offences and Punishments) Act, 2073 and Sections 17 and 18 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082.
The Commission has further instructed authorities to ban the sale, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages from seven days before the voting date until the final election results are announced.
On polling day, all public and private vehicles will be prohibited from operating from 12:00 pm on March 4 until the evening of March 5, except for essential service vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines, hearses, blood transfusion services, security vehicles, and vehicles used for electricity, water, sanitation, and telecommunications maintenance. Vehicles of diplomatic missions and those with official election passes will also be permitted.
The Commission clarified that both domestic and international flights will operate as usual on polling day. Passengers holding valid tickets will be allowed to travel to and from airports using vehicles arranged by airlines or private services.
As per the Election Security (Management) Directive, 2082, and the Election of Members of the House of Representatives (Voting) Directive, 2082, voters must carry a voter identity card or any valid identification document, such as a citizenship certificate, national identity card, passport, land ownership certificate, or driving license, when casting their vote.
Security personnel and polling officials have been instructed to allow eligible voters listed in the voter roll to vote upon presenting any of these documents.
The Commission also stated that, in accordance with the Vehicle Permit Procedures, 2082, a pass distribution unit will be established at the Commission’s Secretariat to issue vehicle permits for polling day. The unit will be staffed by two officials from the Election Commission and two from the District Administration Office, Kathmandu.
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