KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 25 With eight days remaining for the March 5 House of Representatives (HoR) election, the Election Commission of Nepal has warned that obstructing election campaigning or depriving citizens of voting rights is a punishable offence. Issuing a statement, the Commission urged political parties, candidates and the public not to disrupt rallies, processions, public meetings or any campaign-related activities of rival parties. The appeal follows complaints alleging that some parties and candidates were prevented from conducting election publicity. The Commission said such acts violate Clause 13 (1)(e) of the Election Code of Conduct–2082 BS, which prohibits interference in campaign programmes organised by political parties, candidates or their affiliated bodies. It added that the Election (Offences and Punishment) Act–2073 BS provides for a fine of up to Rs 200,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, for those found obstructing candidacy filing, election campaigning or voting. Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said the Commission has been closely monitoring campaign activities through various mechanisms, including media and social media reports, and is taking complaints seriously. Reiterating that no individual or group is allowed to bar candidates from publicity or voters from casting ballots, the Commission stressed that conducting the election in a free, fair and impartial environment is a shared responsibility of political parties, candidates and the public.