Election code of conduct comes into effect from today

KATHMANDU: The code of conduct for parliamentary and provincial elections slated for November 20 comes into effect today.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dinesh Thapaliya said the poll body made the decision to implement the election code of conduct, 2079, from September 28.

He added that the EC expected everyone’s cooperation in following the code of conduct and its implementation.

Elections to the House of Representatives (HoR) and Province Assembly are being held on November 20.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission issued 60-point directives to the political parties to make the upcoming elections to the members of the House of Representatives and Province Assembly free, fair, impartial, transparent and fearless.

It directed the political parties registered for the election purpose to implement and comply with the legal arrangements specified in the Election (Offense and Punishment) Act, 2073 and Election Code of Conduct, 2079.

EC Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel informed that the political parties registered would not be allowed to deprive any person of filing candidacy or making publicity and their right to exercise franchise.

Nobody shall be allowed to demonstrate and use weapons or explosives. The election commission has also directed the political parties not to organize any public feasts, hand over any gifts, cash, awards, donations and incentives to the voters for using or not using their franchise rights.