KATHMANDU, April 21: The Election Commission (EC) has made special provision for closely observing and monitoring the silence period of the by-election to the Members of the House of Representatives. The silence period came into effect from midnight on Thursday.

The by-election is taking place in Tanahun-1, Bara-1 and Chitwan-2 electoral constituencies on April 23.

The EC made this special arrangement for the monitoring in line with the Election Code of Conduct, 2023. The Commission has already urged the political parties, the candidates and voters for effective implementation of the provision.

It has likewise issued directives to the state bodies concerned to closely monitor so as to oversee and check the activities in contravention of the Election Code of Conduct. The EC has urged one and all not to cause or make cause any unauthorized movement or untoward activities by people from outside districts and regions in the electoral constituencies where the by-elections are taking place, except the political parties, candidates, their representatives and voters of these constituencies.

The teams deputed for monitoring and the security bodies concerned can take under control people involved in such unwanted movement and untoward activities, and initiate action in case such activities are seen to be inimical to the election fairness and dignity.

EC Assistant Spokesperson Surya Prasad Aryal said the EC has directed Nepal Police, the National Investigation Department, the special monitoring teams mobilized by the EC, the office-bearers of the District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee officials and the monitoring officers and all the sides concerned to do accordingly.

The constitutional poll body has also made a decision to have close monitoring carried out through a special mechanism of the implementation of the provision under Section 24 (5) of the Election (Offences and Punishment) Act, 2073 BS as well as to enforce the Election Code of Conduct in the electoral constituencies where the by-elections are taking place.

The EC has mobilized a Special Monitoring Team and designated the chief of the District Treasury and Comptroller Office of the districts concerned as the Election Code Monitoring Officer for this purpose in line with Clause 32 of the Election Code of Conduct.

The Commission has also written to the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Home Affairs for making provision to check the sale and distribution, and consumption of alcohol within the districts where the election is taking place until the counting of votes is completed.

The Election Code of Conduct, 2079, issued by the EC on April 7 for the by-election has made provision for a silence period from 48 hours before the voting day until the voting is closed in order to hold the election in a free, fair and fear-free manner. 

Election campaigning and any type of discussion, interaction, assemblies, workshops and gatherings are prohibited during the silent period. The EC has drawn the attention of all not to ask for votes through online, social site, print or any medium in favor or against any candidate or party.

The EC urged the concerned sides not to publish and broadcast any press release or any content related to prediction about victory or defeat of a candidate through media, including social sites. 

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