KATHMANDU, Jan 26: Regulating violations of the election code of conduct through social media during elections has increasingly become a challenge. As the country moves closer to the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, amid a complex national situation, the issue is expected to become even more sensitive.
Candidate nominations for the upcoming election were completed on January 20. During the process, a political party in one district of Madhesh Province came under criticism on social media for allegedly using vehicles with Indian number plates brought from Bihar, India.
Although the images circulated without clear details regarding when and where they were taken, social media users have continued to express opinions both in support of and against the incident. Beyond the unauthorized use of foreign vehicles, visuals of sloganeering aimed at defaming candidates during election campaigns are also being shared on social media.
It has also been found that many political parties and candidates have violated the election code of conduct, which restricts participation to no more than 25 people during nomination filing and prohibits showy displays. Images and videos showing the use of children alongside party flags and banners during campaign activities have also been widely shared on social media.
During the nomination process itself, the Election Commission (EC) had sought clarification after a sitting chief minister was found accompanying a candidate to the election officer’s office. Meanwhile, some parties and candidates have even used the national flag during their campaigns, drawing criticism for its misuse.
Women march demanding responsible use of social media
The EC has stated that it is closely monitoring compliance with the code of conduct and election-related misinformation spread through social media. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said that effective monitoring would be carried out to discourage and control false and misleading information as well as hate speech disseminated during the run-up to the elections. Recalling the special initiatives taken during the 2022 elections in coordination with relevant agencies and representatives of social media platforms, he said those efforts would be made more effective this time.
Bhandari also stressed that attempts to assassinate opponents’ character and spread misinformation among the public through social media—using AI and other technologies—must be stopped, noting that cooperation from all concerned stakeholders is essential.
According to the EC, eight cases of harmful information identified on electronic media and social media over the past week have been forwarded to Press Council Nepal, the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police, and the EC’s Central Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee for legal action.
To control and regulate misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech arising from the use of social media during elections, the EC has prioritized collaboration with social media platform operators.
EC spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said that false, misleading, and abusive content classified as harmful information negatively affects the fairness and integrity of elections, and efforts are underway to control and regulate such content. He added that the Information Integrity Promotion Unit, established by the Commission to coordinate with regulatory bodies, is fully operational.
To enhance the unit’s efficiency, the EC— with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)—has introduced the ‘e-Monitoring Plus’ software system, and capacity-building training for staff on its use has been completed.
Warning that such activities contrary to the Election Code of Conduct, 2082 could increase as election day approaches, the Commission has urged all concerned to remain vigilant. The official campaign period has been set from February 16 to March 2.
As election symbols were allotted on January 25, political parties and candidates face no restrictions on door-to-door outreach and personal meetings. However, the code of conduct prohibits mass meetings, rallies, and large-scale events outside the designated campaign period.
In addition to the EC, the Ministry of Home Affairs has formally instructed the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau to effectively monitor digital platforms during the election. The ministry has continued to issue alerts to prevent the spread of rumors through misuse of digital platforms.
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal also visited the Cyber Bureau office at Bhotahity on Sunday to conduct monitoring and issue directives on the matter. The bureau has been mandated to monitor and analyze election-related cyber activities and to issue instructions, recommendations, and conduct investigations as necessary.
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