KATHMANDU, APRIL 8
The Election Commission has enforced the election code of conduct from today.
Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said at a press briefing today that the EC had taken the suggestions offered by the main opposition CPN-UML positively and the polls panel would clarify some of the code's provisions if necessary. The UML had submitted a three-page memorandum to the EC arguing that some codes were against the freedom of expression and the constitution.
He said that the code's provisions on the use of social networking sites and website were not aimed at discouraging the people from soliciting votes or propagating their political message, but were there to discourage those who wanted to misuse social networking sites and websites. Thapaliya said all stakeholders, including the political parties, wanted the EC to honestly implement the election code of conduct.
"If anybody says publicly that the poll code should be implemented strictly, but tries to violate the code, that is deemed an offence and the EC is committed to punish the offender," Thapaliya added.
EC Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Paudel read out a press release at the daily press briefing. EC said in its release the poll code prohibited people from expressing views or producing materials in favour or against anybody with the motive of influencing elections or putting fake information on social networking sites, but that did not prevent anybody from propagating their political belief and ideology.
EC said that the poll code prohibited people from assassinating anybody's character and undermining anyone's prestige. The EC said political parties must be careful about their conduct as the poll code prohibited parties' cadres and supporters from using logos, stickers, clothes, shirts, T-shirts, jackets, scarves, caps, badges masks, or lockets that have parties' flags while campaigning for the parties' candidates.
The EC clarified that those people who would be deployed for poll duty, including employees, vote counting officers and candidates' representatives would have to sign affidavits which would allow people to challenge any decision and seek legal remedy.
This question was raised by the CPN-UML yesterday. The EC has expected cooperation from all stakeholders that they will not use social networking sites to propagate poll messages during silence period and vendors will not sell liquor during this period.
The EC also clarified about the code's provision that require local representatives to resign before they file their candidacy for posts in the local government.
The polls panel said that since the resignation issue was sub judice at the Supreme Court, the polls panel would take appropriate decision only after the court verdict, but for the time being, the candidates could sign affidavits committing that they are not holding any post of benefit.
The EC reminded political parties that it would take appropriate steps to punish violators of the code, which include serving warning letter, imposing fines and invalidating candidates' nomination for the poll.
The EC said it had layers of monitoring mechanism to enforce compliance of the poll codes.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 9, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
