Election Commission Directs Home Ministry to Enforce Prohibitions During Election Period

Kathmandu. The Election Commission has requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to prevent prohibited activities during the election period and to take immediate action according to prevailing laws if any such activities are found, and to inform the Commission about them.

Issuing a statement, the Commission stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs should direct all Chief District Officers and security agencies to fully comply with the Election Code of Conduct that comes into effect from 12:00 AM on Falgun 18, and to inform the Commission about action taken against those who violate specific provisions under Section 24 of the Election (Offenses and Punishment) Act, 2073, and Sections 17 and 18 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, by mobilizing designated individuals and mechanisms through the District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee.

The Commission has also urged a ban on the sale, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages starting 7 days before the voting date until the final results of the election are announced. "Except for vehicles providing essential services on voting day (ambulances, fire trucks, hearses, blood transfusion service vehicles, security agency vehicles, vehicles used for electricity, drinking water, and sewage maintenance, and telecommunication service maintenance), diplomatic mission vehicles, and vehicles with passes issued for use on election day, the operation of all other public and private vehicles should be prohibited from 12:00 AM on Falgun 20, 2082, until voting is completed on Falgun 21," the Commission stated.

Similarly, the Commission clarified arrangements for the continued operation of international and domestic flights on voting day, and to facilitate travel for passengers with tickets for international and domestic flights between the airport and their homes/hotels using private vehicles or vehicles provided by the respective airlines.

In accordance with Section 6 of the Election Security (Management) Directive, 2082, all tasks related to maintaining peace and security during the election, including those mentioned in Clause 9(j) of the same section, the Representative Assembly Election (Voting) Directive, 2082, Sections 43 and 84 mandate that voters must bring their voter ID card, Nepali citizenship certificate, national identity card, passport, land ownership certificate, or driving license to the polling station to vote. The Commission has also informed security personnel, staff, and stakeholders involved in voting to disseminate information that voters whose names are on the voter list can cast their vote by carrying any one of these documents.

The statement read, "A pass distribution unit will be established on the premises of the Election Commission Secretariat to issue vehicle passes as per the Vehicle Pass Issuance Procedure, 2082, issued by the Election Commission and the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, for use on voting day. Two employees from the Election Commission and two from the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, will be assigned to this unit."