Observation mainly involves field monitoring of election by one or more independent parties
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 18
Observers from various countries have started gathering in Nepal to observe the November 20 elections to the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies.
Election observation mainly involves field monitoring of election by one or more independent parties from another country or from non-governmental organisations. The accredited observers will assess the conduct of election process in line with national laws and international election standards of observation.
According to a bulletin published by the Election Commission, teams of South Korea and Maldives arrived in Kathmandu today for election observation. The team of South Korea is led by its Election Commissioner Cho Byeong-Hyun. Similarly, Fuwad Thowfeek, chairperson of Election Commission, Maldives, has led his team.
The EC officials had welcomed the international observers at its office.
Likewise, election commissioners of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and other countries are scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu by tomorrow for observation. Takei Shunsuke, state minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, is also arriving to observe the elections. According to the International Election Observers Accreditation (Supplementary) Directive, 2022, issued by the EC, it is mandatory for the international election observers to recognise and respect the custom, culture and sovereignty of Nepal while carrying out their roles.
The observers are also required to perform their duties impartially, objectively and independently and should not indicate or express any political bias or preference. The directive provides opportunity for the international organisations to observe the election process and procedure, its fairness, transparency and credibility.
"The international organisations will have a duty to brief their observers thoroughly on the electoral process and procedure and the provisions of the election code of conduct issued by the EC prior to the deployment of their observers.
Observers must refrain from carrying, wearing and displaying any electoral campaign material or any article of clothing, emblem, badge, pictures, symbols or other items denoting support for or opposition to any political party," the directive reads.
The procedure also mentions that the observers must undertake their duties in an unobtrusive manner and should not interfere with the election process. They should not refrain from influencing or providing guidance to persons involved in the electoral process/voting.
As per the directive, the observers must observe the voting on polling day from a reasonable distance, and refrain from talking to voters inside the polling station and from asking voters about their political inclination. Observers must respect the secrecy of the voting and not interfere with the orderly conduct of the voting process.
The observers will not be authorised to engage in settling any disputes, certifying election results, or providing written statements as evidence to be used in relation to dispute resolution. They are also prohibited to issue any disputable statement disturbing the operation of polling.
The directive prohibits the observers from making slanderous or defamatory public statements regarding the EC or any other electoral stakeholders or voters. They are not allowed to bring, use or carry any arms/weapons and other restricted items.
A version of this article appears in the print on November 19, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
