KATHMANDU, Oct 18: The Election Commission (EC) has warned that if candidates hold mass rallies before November 3, targeting the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections to be held on November 20, their candidatures will be canceled.

Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari on Monday said that political party candidates are prohibited from holding mass rallies until 17 days before the election date for the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections.

He said that the election code of conduct allows candidates and political parties to hold mass rallies, corner meetings and seminars only 17 days before the November 20 polls. "Conducting corner meetings and mass rallies before the date set by the commission will be a violation of the election code of conduct," he said. The commission will take a decision to cancel the candidatures of the candidates if they hold a mass rallies before November 3 targeting the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections. Political parties will be allowed to conduct election campaigns from November 4.

Earlier, the EC stated that the candidates and political parties participating in the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections can participate in the door-to-door program in groups of up to 25 people. He said that complaints about violations of the code of conduct by political parties during door-to-door visits are being received by the commission. He has requested to take vigilance as clarifications will be asked on such complaints and if repeated, nominations will be canceled.

"Candidates have been organizing door-to-door campaigns in many places. The EC is investigating the complaints that the candidates and political parties are organizing programs and parties.” He said, "The commission will take action if it is found that the candidates and political parties are organizing programs and parties."

"At the local level, the election officials have been given the authority to take action. They are taking action. If no action is taken from there, the commission will have to make a strict decision and take action. By following the code of conduct they are allowed to visit voters’ houses. They should be prepared to face legal punishment if they are violating the code of conduct,” he further added. “The commission has said that after studying the code of conduct, they should stay within the perimeter and go door-to-door so that they are not punished by the law.”

He informed Republica that candidates involved in such activities will be given a chance for presenting an explanation and will be heard by the EC.

"If the evidence available with the EC and the details submitted by the candidates and political parties do not match, they will be liable for action," he said, "The commission has left no stone unturned in the matter of making candidates follow the code of conduct. But the commission can take strict action to enforce the code of conduct.”

 
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