The Election Commission has begun enforcing the Election Code of Conduct and has established offices of election officers in preparation for the House of Representatives Election–2082.
For the purpose of the election, the Commission also held discussions with political parties registered to participate in the election regarding the implementation of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082. The discussion was held in the presence of Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, Election Commissioners Dr. Janaki Kumari Tuladhar and Sagun Shumsher Jabra, and Commission Secretary Krishna Bahadur Raut.
Political parties participating in the discussion expressed their commitment to conducting the upcoming election in a clean, free, fair, credible, and fear-free environment. They pledged to honestly comply with the Constitution of Nepal, the Election Commission Act, 2073, the Political Parties Act, 2073, the Election (Offenses and Punishment) Act, 2073, the House of Representatives Election Act, 2074, the National Assembly Election Act, 2075, and the Election Code of Conduct, 2082.
The parties also committed to being present whenever called by the Election Commission, the Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee and its subcommittees, as well as election and polling officers. Suggestions were also received emphasizing the need for effective monitoring of the code of conduct and for the Commission to remain vigilant in controlling and regulating misinformation, disinformation, and hateful expressions spread through social media.
Addressing questions and concerns raised by political party representatives regarding the implementation of the Election Code of Conduct, Acting Chief Election Commissioner Bhandari urged all parties not to engage in the politics of prohibition and to participate in the election by strictly adhering to the law.
Election Commissioner Sagun Shumsher Jabra, who also serves as the coordinator of the Central Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, informed that the Commission will use a social media monitoring system to regulate activities on social platforms during the election period.
With political parties expressing their commitment to implementing prevailing election laws and the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, the Commission stated that it is confident the code will be implemented honestly and effectively through cooperation with all parties.
Meanwhile, as part of preparations for the House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21, the Commission has established offices of chief election officers in all 77 districts and offices of election officers in 88 constituencies under the first-past-the-post electoral system, according to Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai.
About the Author
