KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 27
With six days remaining for the House of Representatives (HoR) election, the Election Commission Nepal has prohibited the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages from Thursday until the announcement of the final election results.
The decision was taken in line with the Election Security Plan endorsed by the High-Level Election Security Committee under the Election Security Management Directives. Based on security assessments and recommendations, the Commission directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to enforce the restriction nationwide.
The Home Ministry has instructed Chief District Officers and security agencies in all districts to ensure full compliance with the Election Code of Conduct. District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committees have been directed to deploy designated personnel to prevent prohibited activities under the Election (Offences and Punishments) Act, 2073 and the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, and to take immediate legal action against violators.
The Commission has also announced a ban on the operation of public and private vehicles from midnight on March 4 until the completion of voting on March 5. However, vehicles providing essential services - including ambulances, fire engines, hearses, blood transportation, security agencies, electricity maintenance, and water and sewage services - will be allowed to operate. Vehicles for telecommunication maintenance, diplomatic missions and those with official election passes will also be permitted.
International and domestic flights will operate as scheduled on voting day. Arrangements have been made to facilitate passengers travelling to and from airports, allowing them to use private vehicles or vehicles provided by respective airlines upon presentation of valid tickets.
According to the House of Representatives Member Election (Voting) Directives, 2082, voters may cast their ballots by presenting a voter identification card or Nepali citizenship certificate. National identity cards, passports, land ownership certificates and driving licences will also be accepted as valid identification at polling centres.
A pass distribution unit will be set up at the Commission's Secretariat premises to issue vehicle passes for election day.
(With inputs from RSS)