Elections 2022
The Election Commission (EC) has issued a six-point guideline for political parties to publish and disseminate publicity materials for the upcoming elections.
The elections for the House of Representatives and Province Assembly will be held on November 20.
EC spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel said that the guidelines would provide clarity to the political parties and the candidates for carrying out election canvassing on the online media registered with the Department of Information and Broadcasting and enlisted in the Press Council Nepal, remaining under the Election Code of Conduct, 2022.
Among the decisions is allowing the political parties and candidates to disseminate visual material related to the election campaigns through online media for a maximum of one minute.
Similarly, the political parties can disseminate election publicity materials on the private sector online media using 'roadblock', content block, homepage, banner, detailed page banner, and box advertisement.
"However, it should be indicated on the election publicity material that it is a paid advertisement," the EC said.
The election publicity material disseminated in this way should not include in it any content that is defamatory to anyone, fake information, mis/dis-information and hate speech, the commission added. "If this type of content is found in the election publicity material, it would be considered in violation of the Election Code of Conduct."
The Code of Conduct also bars the parties and candidates from disseminating their election publicity materials on foreign online media.
The political parties and candidates are required to submit to the EC the details of the expenditure for disseminating the election publicity materials through online media in their election expenses details.
Directive to make polling stations inclusive and disabled-friendly
Meanwhile, the EC has issued directives for making the polling stations inclusive and disabled-friendly. It has directed the Chief Election Officer, the Election Officer, Polling Officer and all employees deputed to conduct the election in that connection.
The EC has emphasised the strict adherence to the 'Gender and Inclusion Policy in Election Management, 2077 BS' and the 'House of Representatives and Province Assembly Member Election (Voting) Guidelines, 2079 BS'.
