Free And Fair Poll

Free and fair election is a prerequisite of a functional democracy. The given political system derives its legitimacy only when the elections are credible and accepted by major domestic actors and international community. Nepal federal republican setup has been further enhanced with the periodic polls. The second local polls, slated on May 13 this year, will be another milestone in deepening the grassroots democracy. It will elect fresh representatives in all the 753 local bodies. In order to conduct the polls in impartial and peaceful manner, the Election Commission (EC) has enforced the election code of conduct since midnight of April 8. It is applicable for the government, its ministers, public institutions, local bodies, constitutional bodies, political parties, candidates, cadres, election observers, those holding public positions, media, I/NGOs, civil servants and security agencies.

With the enforcement of the poll code, people are prohibited from expressing views or producing materials in favour or against anybody with the motive of influencing elections or putting fake information on social networking sites. The poll code also restricts misinformation, disinformation and hate speech. It also bans party cadres and supporters from using logo, stickers, clothes, scarves, caps, badges, masks or lockets that have party flags while campaigning for the party candidates. The code allows the use of just one party flag and one flag bearing symbol at one campaign office per local unit.

The EC has been pushing for greater transparency in election-related expenditure by parties and candidates, through a strict election code of conduct. The code provision puts a ceiling on poll expenditure for candidates and has ruled against extravagant use of publicity materials. The commission has made arrangements to ensure effective implementation of the poll code. The EC has formed a committee at the centre led by an election commissioner to monitor the implementation of the code of conduct. Such committees have also been formed at district, constituency and ward levels which are supervised from the centre. The EC has reminded that it can impose a fine amounting up to Rs. 100,000 to the political party, candidate, person, organisation, official or agency for violating the election code. If the violation repeats, the EC can even terminate one’s candidacy.

The political parties have already expressed their commitment to fully abide by the election code of conduct. Since the enforcement of the election code of conduct, the EC has been repeatedly asking concerned parties to abide by the code. In course of monitoring, the EC even asked clarifications from some violators of the code and warned not to repeat the violation. It has seized poll materials, including parties’ flags and election materials from various places for violating the election code of conduct. The EC has also warned the media not to disseminate news reports against the election code of conduct. 

Election is an important democratic exercise which is pivotal for the implementation of the constitution and institutionalization of the democratic system the nation has embraced. This is the occasion in which people use the ballot to give mandate to their preferred candidates. The most fundamental principle defining credible elections is that they must reflect the free expression of the will of the people. To achieve this, elections should be conducted in a free, impartial and peaceful manner. All the concerned stakeholders should act sincerely to make this happen.