60 days to HoR elections: Election code of conduct bars use of children

Kathmandu, Jan 4: The code of conduct for the upcoming election to the House of Representatives has stipulated that government and semi-government bodies are not allowed to carry out any activities in favour of or against any political party.

The code of conduct set by the Election Commission for the March 5 elections has provided that no resources of any project should be provided in a way that they can be used in favour of or against any party or candidate. No work should be done that would obstruct the election management and voter education and other programs run by the Commission in any way, or that materials or information related to the election should be damaged or altered in any way.

According to the code of conduct, no government or semi-government body or public organization or university or school or college should be used for or against election-related gatherings or publicity. Provisions have been made that jackets, shirts, vests, T-shirts, hats or caps, shawls, masks, lockets or any other type of clothing or symbolic materials such as stickers, logos, bags, badges, tattoos, etc. bearing the election symbols of political parties or candidates cannot be produced, used, sold, distributed or displayed.

The code of conduct has made provisions that political activities or publicity cannot be carried out on the property of a private organization or institution owned by any individual without the permission of the house or landowner. The code of conduct prohibits the use of children in election publicity. The code of conduct also makes provisions that any kind of procession, public meeting, corner meeting, meeting, gathering or election propaganda cannot be carried out in a way that obstructs public mobility. 

It also provides that false, misleading, or hateful information cannot be disseminated in any media, including the social media. (RSS)