HoR elections, 74 days left: Vehicle use provisions in proposed code of conduct

Kathmandu, Dec 21: The proposed code of conduct prepared by the Election Commission for the upcoming election to the House of Representatives scheduled for March 5 has a provision that no candidate will be allowed to use vehicles without obtaining permission.

Provision has been made that vehicles other than those with permission will not be allowed to be used for election campaigning or to displaying campaign materials. If vehicles are used without permission, such vehicles will be seized and necessary action will be taken as provided by the law. The traffic police or other security personnel can seize such vehicles and inform the District Code of Conduct Approval Committee about the same.

With the permission of the returning officer, a maximum of two two-wheeler or three-wheeler or four-wheeler vehicles as specified by the Commission can be used in the concerned constituency or the place where the candidate is. Four horses can be used in places where vehicles are not feasible for transportation.

The proposed code of conduct states that vehicles with foreign registration number plates cannot be used as it will not be permitted. Changing the appearance of the vehicles is also prohibited.

Vehicles that have been granted permission will not be allowed to be used by other parties or other candidates than those who have got the permit. According to the proposed code of conduct, no party or candidate will be allowed to transport voters using vehicles that have been granted permission. 

For voters who are unable to walk, such as pregnant, new mothers, women carrying children, orphans, people with disabilities, and senior citizens, there will be no obstacle to using vehicles if the election officer gives permission.

Meanwhile, it has also been proposed that political parties are required to submit the name of their main campaigner to the commission for campaigning and that the main campaigner granted permission by the commission can use helicopters.  (RSS)