KATHMANDU, March 2: The Election Commission (EC) has announced that political parties will not be allowed to conduct election campaigning from 12:00 midnight tonight for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5.
According to Assistant Spokesperson of the EC, Kul Bahadur GC, the campaign silence period begins 48 hours prior to the voting day and lasts until polling concludes and polling centers are closed. As a result, parties and candidates will be prohibited from soliciting votes after midnight tonight. The Election Code of Conduct, 2082 outlines the specific rules that candidates, political parties, and related individuals must follow during this silence period.
Political parties have been campaigning since February 16, and campaigning will continue until midnight tonight. The silence period is considered mandatory to allow voters to make independent decisions based on their conscience, thereby promoting free and fair competition.
Silence period for vice-presidential election begins tonight
Today marks the final day of campaigning, which coincides with the Holi (Fagu Purnima) festival in the Himalayan and hilly districts. Parties and candidates are actively campaigning throughout the day. However, once the silence period begins at midnight, all forms of campaigning and vote solicitation will be strictly prohibited. This includes political advertisements, social media promotions, public messaging, and any election-related promotional activities.
Additionally, all campaign materials placed within 300 meters of polling stations must be removed before the silence period begins at midnight tonight.
The Code of Conduct also prohibits posting, sharing, or disseminating any message, information, or promotional material for or against any political party or candidate through social media, online platforms, print, or other electronic media during the restricted period.
Furthermore, from three hours before voting begins until polling concludes, no individual is allowed to obstruct voters, polling officials, or any personnel involved in the voting process.
Assistant Spokesperson GC stated that honest implementation of the Code of Conduct will help ensure informed voters and uphold the integrity of the election. The EC also confirmed that all necessary preparations for conducting, supervising, directing, controlling, coordinating, and managing the election process, as mandated by the Constitution, are in their final stage.
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