Election Commission Receives 51 Complaints on Code of Conduct Violations; Seeks Clarification from 30 Parties and Candidates

Kathmandu. The Election Commission has stated that out of 51 complaints received so far by the Central Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, clarifications have been sought from the concerned political parties and candidates, and responses have been received for 30 of them.

The Commission also sought clarification from political parties, candidates, governmental and non-governmental organizations, media outlets, and journalists against whom complaints of violating the election code of conduct were filed. Mohan Raj Joshi, a legal officer at the Commission, informed that clarifications and actions for registered media outlets and associated journalists have been forwarded to the Press Council Nepal.

Necessary action is being taken against complaints received regarding the violation of the election code of conduct at the district level. To ensure effective adherence to the election code of conduct and minimize violations, the Commission is proceeding with the necessary investigation and action process for the received complaints. He stated that the Central Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, District Code of Conduct Monitoring Officer, and the concerned election office are active for the effective implementation of the code of conduct.

To make the monitoring of the code of conduct effective and ensure its implementation at the district level, Assistant Chief District Officers in all 77 districts have been designated as Code of Conduct Monitoring Officers for non-financial matters, and Chief Treasury Controller/Treasury Controller for financial matters, as per Section 32 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082. The Commission has stated that the work of informing stakeholders about the code of conduct and securing their commitment to abide by it across all districts in a short time is proceeding effectively. It was also mentioned that the process of seeking clarification and demanding responses from the districts regarding complaints received at the district level has been initiated, and legal action is being pursued against those found guilty.