Election Commission Seeks Clarification on 85 Code of Conduct Complaints, Receives 54 Responses

Kathmandu. The Election Commission has stated that out of 85 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 54 of them.

Mohanraj Joshi, a legal officer at the Commission, informed that clarifications have been sought from 79 individuals, and a second round of clarification has been sought from six others. The Commission has also sought clarification from political parties, candidates, government and non-governmental organizations, media outlets, and journalists against whom complaints of violating the election code of conduct have been filed. For registered media outlets and associated journalists, the matter has been forwarded to the Press Council Nepal for clarification and necessary action.

Setopati Online, which published news content declaring that certain parties and candidates would win based on pre-election surveys conducted in the name of election analysis, was also asked for clarification through the Press Council.

Necessary action is being taken against complaints received regarding the violation of the election code of conduct at the district level as well. The Commission is proceeding with the investigation and action process on the received complaints to ensure effective compliance with the election code of conduct and minimize violations. The Commission also stated that the 54 received responses are currently under study. He mentioned that the Central Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, District Code of Conduct Monitoring Officer, and relevant election offices are actively working 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 appointed as Code of Conduct Monitoring Officers for non-financial matters, and Chief Treasury Controllers/Treasury Controllers for financial matters, as per Section 32 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082. The Commission stated that the work of informing stakeholders about the code of conduct and securing their commitment to adhere to it across all districts in a short time is being carried out effectively.

It was also reported that legal action proceedings have been initiated against those found guilty after seeking clarification and demanding responses from the districts regarding the complaints received at the district level.