Prime minister, ministers allowed to campaign only in their constituencies
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 27
The Election Commission has decided to enforce the election code of conduct for parliamentary and provincial elections slated for November 20 from tomorrow.
Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya told THT that the poll panel expected cooperation from all stakeholders, including the government, in its efforts to strictly implement the code of conduct.
"We expect full compliance with the election code of conduct by all stakeholders, particularly political leaders and candidates, so that we do not have to issue even one show cause notice for any violation of code of conduct," Thapaliya said.
He warned of strict action against any poll code violation.
"We slapped fine on 124,000 candidates who contested the last local polls. Many candidates who took code of conduct lightly felt the force of the law," Thapaliya said.
Asked how the EC would act differently from local polls to ensure compliance with poll code, Thapaliya said that besides district monitoring committee, the EC would also deploy its officers in districts and provinces to exclusively deal with poll code issues. Anybody can report code violations orally or in writing through any means, even through SMS, telephone calls, emails, or any other mode of communication.
Thapaliya said the EC would grant powers to police personnel to take actions against poll code violators immediately.
For upcoming polls, the EC has made new provisions for candidates whereby those contesting elections must give the projected expenditure details and sources of income. Thapaliya said parties would have to submit details of money they spend to organise mass meetings and also of resources they spend for using social networking sites.
"The EC has enacted poll code in a manner that will ensure that polls are fought on ideology and principles, and not by using money or unfair means," Thapaliya said.
Asked if the EC would revise its poll code to allow the prime minister and other ministers to campaign for their respective parties or alliance, Thapaliya said the EC was mulling over lifting restrictions on them so that they could campaign in areas other than their own electoral districts.
The new poll code states that the prime minister and ministers will be allowed to campaign only in their respective electoral districts.
Almost all the major parties - both ruling and opposition - have opposed this provision, saying that such restriction was unwise as other countries also allowed sitting ministers to campaign.
Thapaliya said the EC would ensure that the PM and other ministers would not use government resources while campaigning for their parties and alliance.
He said the commission also expected everyone's cooperation in following the code of conduct and its implementation.
He said it was a worldwide practice that prime ministers and ministers carry out election campaign unhindered.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 28, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
