Silence Period Begins for House of Representatives Election Two Days Before Polls

Kathmandu. The silence period has begun for the House of Representatives member election scheduled for Thursday. The campaigning period for political parties and candidates ended at midnight tonight. The Election Commission had given political parties and candidates time for campaigning from Falgun 4 until midnight on Monday.

During the silence period, which is effective from 48 hours before voting until the voting is completed, no activities that could influence the election, such as campaigning, speeches, gatherings, discussions, or reviews, are permitted. The Commission has stated that soliciting votes, posting materials, or moving around in a manner that influences the election is prohibited during the silence period.

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari informed that if financial transactions are found to have influenced the election during the silence period, it will result not only in the cancellation of the candidacy but also in disqualification from participating in any election process for up to six years.

The Commission has clarified that it will adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards activities influencing the election. The silence period is expected to create an opportunity for voters to cast their ballots judiciously in a clean and free environment. The silence period is crucial for the election management body to make all necessary arrangements and conduct the election in a peaceful, secure, and orderly, fear-free environment.

The silence period is conceptualized to create a situation where voters can go 'fresh' to cast their votes after deliberating on all the information received in the form of various stresses, pressures, and assurances during the election campaign, enabling them to vote for the appropriate person. It is viewed as a time for candidates and political parties, who have reached voters with their respective visions, plans, and programs, to calmly review their campaigning and proceed to vote happily while awaiting the results.

The silence period will also be very important from an election management perspective. The silence period provides an opportunity for election staff and security forces to be free from all other tasks and manage the election in a peaceful environment.

During this period, activities such as designating polling centers, managing voter queues, and assessing the peace and security situation are carried out. In many countries around the world, the silence period is stipulated to last from 24 to 72 hours. The silence period is considered the time granted to effectively complete the election in a fear-free environment and for voters to reach a decision to vote for the 'worthy and chosen' candidate with an informed and conscious open mind.

The Election Commission has stated that candidates, political parties, and related individuals must adhere to special conduct during the silence period. The election code of conduct mentions that all election symbols and campaign materials placed within 300 meters of the polling stations must be removed before the silence period begins.

During this period, soliciting votes or conducting election campaigning through electronic media such as SMS, Facebook, and Viber social networks is prohibited. Similarly, no news or information promoting the campaign of a candidate or political party can be published or broadcast.