KATHMANDU, MAY 7
The Election Commission has issued a press release warning candidates not to carry flags or election symbol of other political parties.
The poll panel has said that its serious attention was drawn to the complaints lodged by some against candidates displaying other parties' flags and election symbols during the local level election campaign.
Local polls are slated for May 13. The EC has said that the Local Election Act has stipulated that candidate cannot use other party's flag and election symbol.
It also reminded parties and candidates of the poll code provisions which stipulates that the parties and candidates are allowed to carry only 3×3 feet size party flags and election symbol. Poll code also prohibits candidates from displaying any glue sign, digital board and using audio visual materials during the time when election code of conduct is in effect. The EC said that if any candidate used other parties' flags or election symbols during the election campaign, it would take action against them deeming their action a violation of poll codes.
Spokesperson for the EC Shaligram Sharma Paudel said that the EC issued the warning to candidates not to carry the flags and election symbol of other political parties as that was a provision of poll code. " One candidates who represents a particular party or an independent candidate should not carry flags or election symbols of other political candidates in an attempt to solicit votes for other parties," Paudel said.
Asked about the coalition partners joint election campaign, Paudel said, "The EC does not recognise any election coalition. If four parties run joint election campaign and if they carry their own party flags and election symbol, that is okay for us," he added.
A version of this article appears in the print on May 08, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
