KATHMANDU, Feb 2: The Election Commission (EC) has written to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), directing it to shut down websites operating exit polls and election projections in connection with the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5.
EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said the EC asked the regulator to block websites that were publishing or facilitating election forecasts, opinion polling and result projections in violation of the election code of conduct. “These kinds of surveys are a stark violation of the election code of conduct and we won’t let it go unseen,” Bhattarai told Republica.
The websites named in the letter are: ratemyneta.com, exitpollnepal.com, neppoll.com, hor-2026.vercel.app, elections.nepalwrites.com, and polymarket.com/event/Nepal-house-of-representatives-election-winner.
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In a separate move, the EC has also written to the Press Council Nepal over a similar website run by Kantipur Media Group. “We have asked the Press Council Nepal to act on the survey conducted by ‘ekantipur’ as everyone is equally liable to follow the election rules,” Bhattarai said.
The EC has repeatedly warned that publishing exit polls, opinion surveys, approval ratings and result projections during the election period is prohibited, as such content may influence voters and undermine the fairness of the electoral process.
With the election approaching, the EC has intensified monitoring of digital platforms, media outlets and social media to ensure strict compliance with election laws and the code of conduct. EC has also deployed monitoring teams, coordinated with regulatory bodies and security agencies, and issued multiple directives to political parties, candidates and media organisations to maintain neutrality and electoral integrity.
The EC has said all preparations for the election—including ballot printing, voter education, logistics management and security coordination—are in the final stage and reiterated its commitment to conducting the polls in a free, fair, impartial and credible manner.
