KATHMANDU, Feb 18: Acting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Ram Prasad Bhandari has said the code of conduct is not a restriction but a prerequisite for free and fair elections.
During an interaction on social network groups and content creators organised as part of voter education and election publicity here on Tuesday, Acting CEC Bhandari made it clear that the election code of conduct was enforced to curb fake and misleading information during the election. It is everyone's responsibility to make the March 5 House of Representatives election a success because it is a democratic event. In an election, true information counts much, he added.
"We're not against press freedom. But the public views expressed for and against any candidate and presented as a victory or loss at a time when there is an election code in place has disillusioned people. Let's not dishearten other candidates," Bhandari said, arguing even the social media posts generated by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) have spread falsehood and confusion. We should create an atmosphere for making the HoR election successful.
EC committed to ensure effective implementation of election cod...
The media reports on making decisions should not be disseminated. "Election is the effective medium to bring the country back on track. So, it requires all sides' cooperation," he insisted.
The voter turnout would increase, while invalid votes decrease this time, according to him.
In view of the Secretary at the Election Commission, Krishna Bahadur Raut, artists and content creators are goodwill ambassadors for voter education. The interaction was organized to seek support from them in this regard, he added.
A humour artist, Manoj Gajurel, said the social media is awash with toxic viral content. So, the posts of authentic information on the election should be made and shared.
Former participant in the Mrs Nepal contest, Nanu Singh Thakuri, underscored the need to disseminate factual and credible information on social networks.
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