KATHMANDU, Dec 6: The Election Commission (EC) has issued a 20-point directive to the political parties in view of the election to the House of Representatives (HoR) member scheduled for 5 March 2026.
Likewise, the EC has set the date of the National Assembly (NA) election for December 26.
Assistant EC Spokesperson Prakash Neupane informed that necessary directives were given to the political parties registered at the EC as per the Political Party Act, 2073 (Clause 57), to maintain good governance while keeping inclusive proportional representation in the election.
In order to ensure inclusive proportional representation in the election system, each political party has to guarantee representation of women candidates in a way that one-third is not overlooked, and nominate candidates to ensure gender and inclusive representation is maintained while presenting candidacies for the first-past-the-post contest.
Election Commission issues 17-point election directive
Likewise, the political parties are obligated to arrange candidacy nominations to ensure gender and inclusive representation for effective implementation of the policy to level up 40 percent women's representation in the parliament by 2030, in consideration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While conducting election-related activities, the political parties are not allowed to engage in any actions that would undermine mutual harmony, being adherent to the Nepal Constitution and respectful to the diverse castes and ethnicities, communities, gender, religions, languages, regions and cultures.
To make the polling stations and centres gender and disability-friendly, the EC has asked the political parties to extend cooperation to that end and necessarily address the gender and social inclusion arrangements in their political documents, including the election manifestos.
The inclusive proportional representation principle should be adhered to in a way to keep at least one third of women and represent Nepal's social diversities while nominating candidates to the posts, excluding the posts reserved for women, Dalit and minority communities.
The political parties should also ensure participation of women, inclusive groups and target sections at the programmes, including training, workshops, seminars, discussions and interactions.
During election campaigns, it is prohibited to directly or indirectly intimidate, defame, insult, discourse, attempt character assassination, or show discriminatory actions against women, children, persons with disabilities, inclusive groups or any other candidates.
The commission's directive has stated that the political parties must ensure that the language used on social media does not impart false, misleading and malicious information that could negatively impact the feelings of women and indigenous nationalities.
Likewise, the political parties are obliged to make necessary arrangements to inform voters about gender and inclusivity in elections, the importance of the election, and the voting process during poll campaigns. The political parties' office-bearers, members and workers should comply with the election code of ethics.
As per the directive, the political parties should make arrangements to ensure that children are not used during political activities.
Likewise, parties are not allowed to carry out undemocratic acts such as obstructing, restricting and forcing another party not to do their election-related activities.
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