Election Commission Nepal Urges Responsible Use of Technology to Safeguard Election Integrity

The Election Commission Nepal (EC) has called on all stakeholders to refrain from misusing technology in ways that could undermine the fairness and integrity of the electoral process.

Issuing a public appeal, the Commission urged individuals, media outlets, and content creators not to disseminate fake or misleading information on social media, stressing the need to foster a clean and credible information environment for the successful conduct of elections.

Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari specifically cautioned against posting artificial intelligence–generated content intended to create confusion or mislead voters. He emphasized that elections must remain a dignified democratic exercise and that responsible communication is essential to maintaining public trust.

The Commission also directed media houses not to conduct or publish poll surveys before the elections. According to the EC, some media organizations have already reported voter opinions and projected results even though the **House of Representatives elections have yet to take place.

Such activities, the EC stated, could mislead voters, negatively influence their voting rights as outlined in the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, discourage candidates, and disturb the level playing field required for fair competition.

While acknowledging the convenience brought by modern technology, the Commission warned that its misuse could jeopardize electoral integrity. It underscored that adherence to the election code of conduct is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.