Action will be taken if election campaigns are carried out during ‘campaign silence’ period: EC

Published On: November 15, 2022 12:20 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, The Election Commission (EC) has said that no activity related to election campaigning can be done 48 hours before the election.

The commission warned the candidates and cadres of the upcoming election that section 24 (5) of the Election (Offenses and Punishment) Act states that no campaigning activity can be done 48 hours before the election.

Talking to News Agency Nepal on Tuesday, Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said that no program related to election publicity can be held in the 48 hours duration before the polling. He said, “Section 24 (5) of the Election (Offenses and Punishment) Act prohibits any election-related programs from 48 hours before the election. Such programs are prohibited.”

He said that in the past, the commission used to set a silent period, but this year there is no silent period and this time should be used as a campaign silence period. “Looking at our practice in the past, it was referred to as a silent period. In between, we did not find anywhere where there is a silent period," he said, "So we did not consider it as a silent period. In some places, before this, we called it zero hour.”

He said that all activities related to election campaigning will be prohibited from 12 midnight on November 17. He warned that action will be taken according to the Election (Offenses and Punishment) Act if any kind of election-related propaganda is found.

“It is appropriate to refer to 48 hours as static time. All activities related to election campaigning will be prohibited from November 17. It cannot be said to vote or not to vote for a party leader in relation to any kind of propaganda during the designated time. If someone spreads propaganda, it is a serious offense under the Election (Offenses and Punishment) Act,” he said, adding that the person will be severely punished, if found violating the rule.

The elections to the House of Representatives and the provincial assemblies will be held in a single phase on November 20. The commission has also said that its preparations for the upcoming elections have reached the final stage.