Kathmandu, Dec 26: With the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, many have been curious about the scope of the election code of conduct intended to ensure that the polls are free, fair and dignified.
Although elections have been held several times in Nepal, there is often limited public clarity regarding the full extent of the code’s applicability.
According to the election code of conduct developed by the Election Commission and currently under consultation, the provisions are fully applicable to ministers of the Government of Nepal. The code also applies to provincial governments and their ministers, constitutional bodies and their office-bearers, as well as federal and provincial government bodies and their officials.
Similarly, the code covers local-level executives and their members, employees of the federal, provincial and local governments, security agencies and personnel, and offices and employees of government, semi-government and public institutions.
The proposed code further applies to political parties and their affiliated organisations, candidates and related individuals, election representatives, as well as election and counting agents of political parties and candidates.
In addition, the code extends to holders of public office, office-bearers of election observation committees, monitoring organisations and monitors, media houses along with their officials and employees, educational institutions including schools, colleges and universities, and their teachers and staff.
Voters, development partner organisations, projects operated by government and semi-government bodies, staff of such projects, and institutions and personnel involved in voter education programmes also fall within the scope of the code.
Likewise, the code of conduct applies to private-sector banks and financial institutions, cooperative organisations, commercial and industrial sectors, and their officials, employees and workers. It also covers business establishments providing goods and services, as well as any other bodies or individuals designated by the Election Commission.
The Election Commission has stated that the proposed code of conduct will be implemented within the next few days after incorporating necessary feedback and suggestions. #nepal #election
