Election Code of Conduct 2082 Comes into Force Ahead of March 5 HoR Polls

The Election Code of Conduct–2082 for the upcoming election to the House of Representatives (HoR), scheduled for March 5, has come into force from last midnight, the Election Commission (EC) confirmed on Sunday.

According to EC spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, a meeting of the Commission held on Sunday decided to enforce the code of conduct with immediate effect. He said the implementation aims to ensure that the forthcoming election is conducted in a free, fair, and fearless environment.

The code of conduct has already been published in the Nepal Gazette, making it legally binding on all concerned stakeholders. The Election Commission exercised its authority under Section 22 of the Election Commission Act, 2073, to enforce the code in order to create an impartial and transparent electoral atmosphere.

With the enforcement of the code, restrictions and obligations now apply to a wide range of entities and individuals. These include government agencies and officials, ministers of the federal and provincial governments, constitutional bodies and their office-bearers, local governments, civil servants, political parties and their sister organizations, universities, media houses, and other public institutions.

The code of conduct regulates activities such as the use of public resources, official visits, announcements of new policies or programs, and election-related publicity during the election period. Political parties and candidates are required to adhere strictly to ethical campaigning practices, while government bodies are expected to maintain neutrality and avoid actions that could influence voters.

The Election Commission has urged all stakeholders to fully comply with the provisions of the code and cooperate in maintaining electoral discipline. The EC has also warned that legal action may be taken against those found violating the code of conduct.

The Commission stated that continuous monitoring mechanisms have been put in place to ensure effective implementation of the code across the country. It also appealed to citizens, civil society, and the media to support the enforcement process by reporting any violations.

The March 5 HoR election is considered significant, and the EC has reiterated its commitment to conducting the polls in a credible, transparent, and democratic manner.