KATHMANDU, Feb 16: The Election Commission (EC) has issued a detailed 63-point guideline for political parties and candidates contesting the elections scheduled for March 5, House of the Representatives (HoR), limiting campaigning—including rallies, public assemblies, corner meetings, and publication or broadcasting of campaign materials—to February 4 to March 2.
The EC has warned parties and candidates against obstructing voters’ rights through intimidation, threats, coercion, harassment, social boycott, bribery, economic inducement, or religious provocation.
Giving or receiving cash, in-kind gifts, prizes, donations, or organizing public feasts for campaign purposes is strictly prohibited. Campaign activities must also respect Nepal’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, national unity, freedom, and dignity, and must not undermine the competitive multi-party federal democratic republican system. Actions that incite violence or hatred based on language, religion, community, caste, or region are forbidden.
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Candidates and their family members are barred from engaging in character assassination, threats, or intimidation to influence election results.
For campaign materials, the EC allows distribution of leaflets up to 75 grams and 300 square inches with a single color and the printer’s name. Posters, wall writings, banners, digital displays, or similar materials are prohibited. Leaflets cannot be posted on religious, historical, archaeological, government, public, or private properties. Sound systems may be used only for assembly-related announcements.
From 48 hours before polling until vote counting is complete, parties and candidates are banned from organizing assemblies, rallies, or shouting slogans to influence voters.
The guidelines also forbid using government, provincial, local body, educational, or NGO vehicles for rallies. Government employees, security personnel, and public property cannot be used for campaigning. Financial support from the government, public, or non-government organizations must follow legal procedures, and any contribution above Rs 25,000 must be deposited in a separate bank account, with all expenditures properly documented.
Displaying flags, party or candidate symbols on private homes, public buildings, parks, streets, poles, or other public places without permission is prohibited. Children cannot be used in rallies or campaigns. Campaigning outside official offices using flags, symbols, digital boards, flex boards, or audio-visual materials is also barred.
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