Elections 2022
The Election Commission has prohibited federal and provincial ministers and office-bearers of the local units from using government vehicles in the election campaigns. The House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections will be held on November 20.
Clause (A) of Section 5 under the EC’s Code of Conduct 2079 (First Amendment) prohibits the use of government resources, including official vehicles, during the election campaigns.
According to the revised Code of Conduct, ministers contesting the elections can participate in election campaigning in their respective constituencies.
“The code of conduct prohibits the use of government resources during election campaign,” said EC Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel.
The EC has instructed the federal government ministers through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPMCM) and the Council of Ministers and the provincial ministers through the Office of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers to enforce and implement those guidelines.
The amended Code of Conduct permits the ministers contesting the upcoming elections to involve themselves in the election campaign from their respective electoral constituencies.
“They are, however, not allowed to use government resources and vehicles,” said Poudel.
“They are required to obtain permission from the OPMCM or directly from the commission if they want to conduct or involve themselves in the election campaign within their constituencies,” he added.
The commission has already instructed everyone concerned through the OPMCM about compliance with the provision in the Code of Conduct.
Contrary to the federal and provincial ministers, the office-bearers of local bodies are allowed to take part in the election campaign for the respective political parties beyond their local level as well.
With RSS inputs
