KATHMANDU, March 3: With just 36 hours to go before voters head to the polls, Nepal's election campaign has fallen silent. The Election Commission (EC) enforced a mandatory silence period from Wednesday morning, halting all forms of canvassing for the March 5 House of Representatives election to give voters an uninterrupted window to make a final, independent decision.
According to the Commission, the silence period begins 36 hours before voting day and remains in effect until polling concludes and ballot boxes are sealed. During this time, political parties, candidates and their supporters are strictly prohibited from soliciting votes or engaging in any form of election campaign.
Assistant Spokesperson Kul Bahadur GC said the provision is aimed at allowing voters to make independent decisions without influence, ensuring free and fair competition among candidates.
Silence period for vice-presidential election begins tonight
Political parties had been conducting campaign activities since February 16. Campaigning continued until Tuesday midnight, marking the final day of electioneering. The last day of campaigning coincided with the Holi (Fagu Purnima) festival in the mountainous and hill districts, with parties and candidates remaining active throughout the day.
With the silence period now in force, all election-related promotional activities have been prohibited. The ban covers political advertisements, public gatherings, door-to-door canvassing, social media promotions, and dissemination of election materials through online platforms, print and electronic media.
According to the Election Code of Conduct, all campaign materials placed within 300 meters of polling stations must be removed before the silence period begins. The Code also bars posting, sharing or broadcasting any message, information or publicity material for or against any political party or candidate during the restricted period.
Furthermore, from three hours before voting begins until polling concludes, no individual is allowed to obstruct voters, polling officials or security personnel involved in the election process.
Meanwhile, the Press Council Nepal has urged media outlets to strictly comply with the silence period. In a press statement issued on Monday, the Council directed all media organizations, online portals and social media platforms not to publish or broadcast any news, opinions, advertisements or promotional content in favour of or against any political party or candidate during the siolence period.
The Council also warned that publishing or sharing photographs, party logos, symbols, banners or any other election-related materials during the silence period would constitute a violation of the Election Code of Conduct.
The EC said full and honest implementation of the Code will help ensure informed voting and uphold the integrity of the election. It added that preparations for conducting, supervising, directing, controlling, coordinating and managing the polls are in their final stage.
