EC urges parties and public not to obstruct election campaign

KATHMANDU, Feb 24: The Election Commission (EC) has urged political parties, candidates and the members of the public not to obstruct election campaign related activities of any other party or candidate.

Issuing a press statement on Tuesday, the EC made the appeal to refrain from such activities following the complaints and grievances from political parties and candidates contesting the March 5 election to the House of Representatives, alleging that some parties and candidates had obstructed the election campaign. 

In the press statement issued by Spokesperson of the EC, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the EC said that its attention has been drawn towards such activities which came to its notice through various social media. 

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The EC also mentioned that it has been monitoring election campaign activities through various means. 

Furthermore, the constitutional body responsible for conducting and monitoring elections cautioned that such activities are prohibited by Clause 13, Sub-clause (1), Section (e) of the Election Code of Conduct-2082 BS.

The statement referred to the provision that stipulates that no one is allowed to disturb or block the procession, public meetings, corner meetings, gatherings or any other events organized by political parties, electoral candidates or their affiliated organizations. 

Spokesperson Bhattarai also reminded that under the Election (Offences and Punishment) Act-2073 BS, anyone found obstructing candidacy filing, conducting election campaigns, barring voters from casting ballots could face a fine up to Rs 200,000 and imprisonment of up to three years or both. 

The EC asserted that it is a shared responsibility of political parties, candidate hopefuls, general public and stakeholders to ensure that the upcoming election is held in a free, fair and free-free environment and thus called upon all concerned stakeholders not to engage in such disruptive activities. 

The EC clarified that any actions that obstruct or prevent anyone from conducting election campaigns in compliance with the prevailing federal laws is considered as a violation of Election Code of Conduct.