Election Commission's Call Center Addresses Voter Queries Ahead of Parliamentary Elections

Kathmandu, February 14: "Where should I check for my name on the voter list?" Upon entering the main gate of the Election Commission's office in Kantipath and passing security checks, a voter asked an employee having tea at the canteen.

When the man, estimated to be around 50 years old, asked his question without revealing his identity, the employees there replied, "You can check it on your own mobile phone." When the voter stated that checking on a mobile was difficult and he preferred to check in person, he was directed to the branch managing the commission's information technology system.

After seeing his name and polling station address on the voter list on the computer with his own eyes, he left the Bahadur Bhawan premises, relieved, saying, "Now I will be able to cast my vote." Since there were no younger members in his household, it seemed he was not accustomed to using mobile phones for information technology.

The commission's staff also advised him, "If you have queries about such election-related matters, you don't need to keep visiting the office; you can get answers or solutions by directly calling the toll-free 'call center'."

The Commission has brought its 'Call Center' into operation, similar to previous elections, for the House of Representatives election scheduled for this coming February 21. The Commission has arranged for inquiries regarding voter ID cards, voter education, the code of conduct for elections, and other matters to be made by calling the toll-free number 1102.

According to Sapana Bhattarai, the Call Center Coordinator and Undersecretary, nine people are currently working at the center, including a computer officer and two technicians from Nepal Telecom. She stated that phones received at the center are answered, and problems are resolved or necessary answers are provided every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

According to her, they receive between 70 and 200 calls daily. "We resolve most questions ourselves. If they are beyond our scope, we forward them to the concerned branch or individual," said Coordinator Bhattarai. According to Kul Bahadur GC, Joint Spokesperson for the Commission, queries such as "What needs to be done to get a voter ID card?" and "Can one register their name in the voter roll and participate in voting before this election?" are also received at the 'Call Center'.

In response to such queries, the answer provided is, "A voter ID card is issued after registering one's name in the voter roll at the concerned election office, including citizenship documents. The voter roll registration includes collecting biometric details such as the applicant's photo and fingerprints. Since the election is approaching, the process of voter roll registration and updates has been suspended for the election period as per the legal provision."

Additionally, questions like "Can one register their name in the voter roll from a district other than their permanent address?" and "What is the penalty provision for violating the election code of conduct?" are also asked. The provisions for action for violating the election code of conduct are stipulated in the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, while voter roll registration and updates will reopen after the election.

As per Article 48 of the Code of Conduct, violation of the code of conduct may result in a fine of up to NPR 100,000, cancellation of candidacy, and if any financial assistance is taken in violation of the code of conduct, the political party or candidate receiving such assistance may be fined an amount equal to the income or expenditure received. Furthermore, a candidate who fails to pay such a fine within six months may be declared ineligible to contest any election by the Commission for up to six years, effective immediately.

Actions considered electoral offenses under prevailing laws will be dealt with according to the Election (Offenses and Punishment) Act, 2073. The Commission also receives questions such as, "Where should a complaint be filed if a violation of the election code of conduct is observed?"

If such a violation is observed, the person wishing to file a complaint can do so orally, in writing, via social media, electronic means, or any other method to the Election Commission, the Office of the Chief Election Officer, the Office of the Election Officer, the Election Office, the District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, the monitoring team, or the monitoring officer in the prescribed format.

When filing such a complaint, the basis, reason, and any supporting evidence must be attached. A question heard by the Commission's 'Call Center' is, "What arrangement has the Commission made for the movement of foreign tourists on election day? Will movement on international flights and land routes be restricted?"

In response to this, it is stated that "No national or international air flights will be stopped on election day, and the 'Vehicle Operation Procedure Directive, 2082' has been formulated to manage the movement of vehicles that must operate on highways."

It is further stated that vehicles for tourist movement can operate with permission obtained from the District Administration Office or the Election Commission in Kathmandu at least two days in advance. No vehicle other than those for essential services, diplomatic missions, and the National Human Rights Commission can be used without obtaining permission.

Similarly, queries are also received at the call center regarding candidates/parties participating in the election needing to operate separate bank accounts for cleanliness and expenditure transparency, the deployment of staff working at polling stations, situations leading to invalid votes, management of social media content, etc. The circumstances under which votes become invalid have been clarified according to legal provisions.

A vote will be declared invalid if it is cast using a ballot paper not signed by the concerned Returning Officer, if a mark or stamp other than the ink and swastika symbol placed by the Election Commission is used, or if the vote is marked with a thumbprint, if the marked symbol on the ballot paper is smeared or the ballot paper is torn so the mark is illegible, if the vote is marked elsewhere instead of the candidate's election symbol box, if more candidates are marked than the number of seats to be filled, if votes are marked for more than one election symbol, if the ballot paper is returned to the Returning Officer without marking any vote, if no election symbol is marked, if voting is done using a ballot other than the one designated by the Commission, if the vote is from a ballot placed outside the ballot box, or if a forged ballot paper or a ballot paper designated as invalid by the Commission is found.

The Commission also provides answers stating that trade union officials should be understood as the chairperson, vice-chairperson, general secretary, secretary, and treasurer of the executive committee, and the term also includes executive committee members. Since trade unions gain legal existence and become active through this Act, the definition provided here should be considered.

In response to the query, "What measures has the Commission adopted to control the negative video content widely appearing on social media and to provide factual information about it?" the Commission stated, "The Commission's Information Integrity Promotion Unit, staffed with expert personnel, monitors and analyzes harmful content published on social media and mass communication channels, and proposes control measures for various content published and broadcasted on mass media and social media. Based on this factual analysis, the Commission directs the concerned bodies for necessary legal action."

According to Joint Spokesperson GC, to provide factual information regarding the election and prevent confusion among voters due to baseless and misleading information circulating on social media, the Commission is continuously publishing and broadcasting voter education-related materials through social media and other communication channels.

In addition, clarity on contemporary issues is being maintained through regular weekly press conferences, periodic issuance of press releases, and publication and broadcast of interviews and statements by Commission officials and staff. Regular e-bulletins are also being sent out for regular activities and information.