The Election Commission has issued 63-point guidelines for political parties targeting the House of Representatives elections. The directive was issued on Sunday, the day before the start of election campaigns by political parties and candidates, including rallies and meetings.

The directive states that there should be no obstructions in campaigning or voting. It is also prohibited to display or use weapons or explosives, make threats, spread fear, tarnish public reputation, engage in activities that damage social harmony, and show financial inducements. The directive states that it is not allowed to influence by making promises on the basis of religion. 

The directive states that parties and candidates can only hold rallies, public meetings, corner meetings, media campaigns, and door-to-door programs from 4 to 18 Falgun. It is stated that gifts, cash, food or other goods cannot be given or received with the intention of influencing voters during the election period. It is also prohibited to hold public banquets or participate in such banquets.

It is said that activities that tarnish independence, sovereignty, geographical integrity, national unity, and the federal democratic republican system of governance should not be carried out. The directive is also issued not to spread hatred or enmity on the basis of caste, language, religion, community or regionality. The Commission has warned that actions such as character assassination, intimidation or threats against any candidate or his/her family members with the intention of influencing the election results will be strictly prohibited.

The Commission has warned that strict action will be taken against those who violate the code of conduct. If the code of conduct is violated, the Commission has warned that action may range from asking for an explanation at first, and if it is not followed, fines and cancellation of candidacy. 'If it is found that the code of conduct has been violated, the candidacy may be cancelled and the Commission may decide not to participate in any political competition for 6 years,' says Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari.

Reminding that every candidate and party must open a separate bank account to maintain financial transparency, the Election Commission has asked to comply with it. The Commission has stated that any support or expenditure exceeding Rs 25,000 must be made through a bank and its income and expenditure details will be considered official. The Commission has also mentioned that discussions have been held with representatives of commercial banks to facilitate candidates who have not opened a bank account. 

Despite the provision to allow political advertisements on social media, the Commission has stated that strict vigilance is being maintained on misinformation, propaganda and hate speech. Acting Chief Commissioner Bhandari informed that the regulation is being carried out in collaboration with social media companies as the spread of misinformation in an organized manner affects the integrity of the election. The Election Commission had signed an agreement with TikTok some time ago in this regard.

The Commission has committed to fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to provide equal opportunities for all candidates to compete. ‘Voters are sovereign, it is the responsibility of all of us to create an environment where they can freely exercise their votes,’ said Bhandari.

The Commission has warned ministers not to misuse government resources. It has also emphasized the need to clean up the garbage themselves after public meetings.

The Election Commission has also reminded that a political party or party’s election representative must obtain a mandatory permit from the concerned election officer to use vehicles. It has been said that vehicles licensed in the name of one party or candidate should not be used by other parties or candidates or used or caused to be used by other candidates. The commission's directive states that no one should be allowed to travel or bring or take anyone using any means other than the vehicle permitted by the election officer. 

In a statement issued by commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the commission has drawn attention to the issue of not taking, damaging or purchasing voter ID cards with the intention of depriving voters from voting, or taking ballot papers, ballot boxes or other materials that are to be used or have been used in the election without the permission of the polling officer outside the polling station or anywhere else to prevent them from being used in the election. 

‘No person shall add, alter, correct, remove any information in any election-related details, information, list or any other document pasted or caused to be pasted by an election employee, or tear such document or in any way damage, damage or destroy it, or cause such action to be taken,’ the statement said. ‘There is a clear instruction not to destroy the ballot paper, erase, scratch, correct, forge, damage or destroy the signature or seal of the election officer or polling officer on the ballot paper or any mark or sign on the ballot paper or otherwise damage or misuse the ballot paper.’

Similarly, it has been said that it is not permissible to prepare fake ballot papers or transport such ballot papers or buy and sell ballot papers. The directive also states that it is not permissible to vote without the right to vote under the prevailing federal law, to receive another voter’s ballot paper or vote in the name of another, or to vote more than once for the same election. It has been said that after marking the ballot paper, it is not allowed to show or display such ballot paper to anyone, to go beyond the place where the vote is marked without marking the vote, to violate the prevailing federal law or the procedure prescribed by the commission, and to make the vote marked public in any way.