Election code of conduct comes into effect today

KATHMANDU, JUL 22 -
The election code of conduct comes into effect at midnight on Sunday and it bars the government from making political appointments and promotions and transferring civil servants.

In line with the electoral laws, the Election Commission (EC) announced the enforcement of the code 120 days ahead of the November 19 election s.

The government may, however, take some decisions, including appointments, in some exceptional cases, but only after the EC gives its consent to such steps.

The code also imposes a number of restrictions on the political parties’ election campaigns, including on the funds and logistics they could use in the run up to the election s.

The code bars political parties from using helicopters and planes for campaigning in all areas of the country, except in 11 remote and mountainous districts—Solukhumbu, Manang, Mustang, Dolpa, Humla, Jumla, Mugu, Kalikot, Bajhang, Bajura and Jajarkot.

The parties, however, will have to remain within the election expenses ceiling when they use helicopters and planes. The code of conduct allows a candidate under the First-Past-the-Post electoral system to spend a maximum of Rs 1 million, while a candidate contesting under the

proportional electoral system can spend Rs 75,000 only.

The EC has banned wall-chalking, use of banners, face painting and loudspeakers, which were common during all past election s. Parties are allowed to design only monochrome posters, not exceeding 180 square inches in size, while the code bars them from resorting to hate speech, abusive language, character assassination and intimidation during mass meetings. Any party or candidate violating the rules could be fined Rs 100,000, while they may also be disqualified or barred fromcontesting the next election s.

Careful with what you say, Prez tells election commissioners

President Ram Baran Yadav on Sunday cautioned election commissioners against making controversial remarks regarding the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) election s.

Chief Election Commissioner Neel Kantha Uprety was dragged into controversy a month ago when he reportedly said that the polls would be held in April instead of November 19. Uprety had, however, refuted the reports and said he was misquoted.

“There should be coherence in what is said. The views [expressed by the commissioners] on election issues should not be conflicting,” Uprety quoted the head of state as telling the commissioners in a briefing on the election s in the President’s office.

Election commissioners Dolakh Bahadur Gurung, Ayodhee Prasad Yadav, Ila Sharma and PV Rambhakta Thakur accompanied Uprety to Sheetal Niwas.  The commissioners told the President that they were fully prepared to hold the election s in November.

“The EC is 100 percent prepared for making the polls a success. We expect you to play a constructive role in bringing the poll-opposing parties on board and sort out the constituency delineation row in time,” the commissoners urged the President.

The officials said that the EC could print the voter roll and set up field offices if the list of political parties and candidates contesting the election s is finalised before August 16.

The EC has so far registered over 12.3 million voters in the newly-adopted biometric voter registration system, finalised two codes of conduct—an umbrella code of conduct for the government, political parties, I(NGO) and the media and a separate one for election observers. “The report of the Constituency Delimitation Commission and the final list of parties should be on our table by August 16,” the EC officials told the President.

The head of state, in turn, told the officials that he would take steps and hold talks with all stakeholders, including the national, international and diplomatic community, to make the polls a success.

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