KATHMANDU, Dec 21: With 74 days remaining for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026, the Election Commission has proposed strict rules on the use of vehicles in its draft election code of conduct. Under the proposal, no candidate will be allowed to use any vehicle without prior approval.
The draft states that election campaigning or display of campaign materials using vehicles other than those approved will not be allowed. If a vehicle is used without permission, it will be seized and action will follow.
Traffic police or other security personnel will be required to take control of such vehicles and inform the District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee.
With approval from the election officer, candidates may use up to two vehicles in their constituency or place of candidacy, limited to two-wheelers, three-wheelers, or four-wheelers powered by electricity or passenger fuel, as specified by the commission. In areas where vehicles cannot operate, up to four horses may be used.
The proposed code clearly bars the use of vehicles with foreign number plates and says no permission will be granted for such vehicles.
Political parties may use vehicles only after completing the required process and strictly within the approved number and type. Any alteration to the form or structure of vehicles is prohibited.
Vehicles approved for one party or candidate cannot be used by another party or candidate. The draft also bans the use of approved vehicles to transport voters.
An exception applies if the election officer grants permission for voters such as pregnant women, new mothers, women carrying their own infants, mourners performing funeral rites, persons with physical disabilities, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens who are unable to walk.
The draft code also proposes that political parties must submit the name of their chief campaigner to the commission. Only chief campaigners approved by the commission will be allowed to use helicopters for campaign purposes.