Election Commission Briefs National Observers Ahead of Upcoming Polls

Kathmandu. The Election Commission has completed an orientation program for national observer organizations. During the program, observers were informed about the do's and don'ts of their role.

On the occasion, EC Joint Secretary Narayan Prasad Bhattarai presented on 'Election Observation: Concept and Practice in Nepal', and Election Management Division Chief and Joint Secretary Rajendra Kumar KC presented on 'Management Schedule and Program for the House of Representatives Election, 2082 (including Polling Stations, Polling Centers, and Vote Counting)'.

Similarly, Law and Party Management Division Chief and Joint Secretary Yagya Prasad Bhattarai provided information on the 'Election Code of Conduct, 2082', and Joint Secretary Gyanhari Ghimire presented on 'Constitutional Provisions and Electoral System related to the House of Representatives', informing the heads and representatives of 37 national organizations observing the election about the required duties of observers.

During the program, Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, Commissioners Dr. Janaki Kumari Tuladhar and Sagun Shamsher JBR, and Secretary Krishna Bahadur Rautal emphasized that observers must understand Nepal's constitution and election laws.

They stressed that observers must monitor activities across three phases—pre-voting, voting time, and post-voting/counting time—and submit a report to the Commission.

The orientation program also informed observers that they must operate within the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, must not misuse vehicle passes, must not take sides for or against any party, and must not obstruct the work of staff deployed at polling stations by asking unnecessary questions.

The Commission stated that 37 national organizations and three international observer organizations have received permission to observe the House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21.