EC makes decisions on online election publicity

The Election Commission (EC) has made a six-point decision providing for the political parties to publish and disseminate their election publicity materials for the purpose of the upcoming elections.

The election to the member of House of Representatives and Province Assembly is being held on November 20 in a single phase throughout the country. 

EC spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel said that a decision has been taken by which the political parties and the candidates can carry out election canvassing on the online media registered with the Department of Information and Broadcasting and enlisted in the Press Council Nepal, remaining under the Election Code of Conduct, 2022. 

Among the decisions include the one allowing the political parties and candidates to disseminate visual material related to election campaigning through online media for maximum one minute.

Similarly, the political parties can disseminate election publicity materials on the private sector online media by means of 'roadblock', content block, homepage, banner, detailed page banner and box advertisement.

However, it should be indicated on the election publicity material that it is paid advertisement.

The election publicity material disseminated in this way should not include in it any content that is defamatory to anyone, fake information, mis/dis-information and hate speech. If this type of content is found in the election publicity material, it would be considered in violation of the Election Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct also bars the dissemination of their election publicity materials by parties and candidates on foreign online media.

The political parties and candidates are required to submit to the EC the details of the expenditure while disseminating the election publicity materials through online media including it in their election expenses details. 

Meanwhile, the EC has issued directives for making the polling stations inclusive and disabled-friendly. It has directed the Chief Election Officer, the Election Officer, Polling Officer and all employees deputed to conduct the election in that connection.

The EC has emphasized on the strict adherence to the 'Gender and Inclusion Policy in Election Management, 2077 BS' and the 'House of Representatives and Province Assembly Member Election (Voting) Guidelines, 2022'.