Kathmandu Election Office Condemns Social Media Use Violating Voter Privacy and Code of Conduct

Kathmandu. The District Election Office Kathmandu has expressed objection to the violation of voter privacy by some social media platforms and online media outlets asking the general public and voters whom they intend to vote for.

The Election Office urged adherence to the election code of conduct and requested that acts violating voter privacy not be carried out.

It stated that if such actions, which violate Article 4 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, are found, they must cease immediately, and if they are not stopped, legal action will be initiated according to prevailing laws.

There is a provision that election campaigning is permitted only starting 17 days before the voting day, after the final list of candidates is published. This includes holding processions, mass meetings, or corner meetings, publishing or broadcasting any form of promotional material in the media, and conducting door-to-door campaigns for election promotion.

Although discussions, interactions, and publications have been conducted repeatedly to ensure full compliance with this provision of the code of conduct, the Election Office noted that some political parties, their representatives, and candidates have violated this provision.

The Election Office has drawn attention to the fact that information has been received that some are holding corner meetings, campaigning, publishing and broadcasting promotional materials, and conducting door-to-door campaigns ahead of the scheduled time to influence voters, and has requested that such activities not be carried out.

The Election Office has notified that if evidence is obtained that anyone has violated the code of conduct and campaigned in any manner, legal proceedings will be initiated immediately according to prevailing laws.

Code of Conduct Monitoring Officers Mukti Ram Rijal, Shivaram Bhattarai, Romakanta Kafle, Mun Kumar KC, Sunita Subedi, and Rukmagat Aryal jointly drew attention to all aspects of the Election Code of Conduct.