Local By-election: Silence period begins

KATHMANDU: The silence period for the local by-elections began at midnight today, in preparation for the elections scheduled for Sunday, December 1.

This period is intended to ensure the elections are conducted in a fair, transparent, and fear-free manner.

The Election Commission (EC) has issued guidelines outlining permissible and prohibited activities during the silence period.

The EC has announced that the election campaign prohibition period will begin 48 hours before polling day and continue until the vote counting is completed.

During this period, if any activities are found to violate the code of conduct, the Central Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, along with district-level monitoring teams, local administration, security personnel, and election officers, will closely monitor the situation.

Immediate action will be taken in case of any violations, as per the law, the Office of the Chief Election and Returning Officer at the Election Commission stated, according to Sita Pokharel, Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of the Commission.

According to Section 24, Sub-section 5 of the Election Offences and Punishments Act, 2073, and Section 17 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2079, political party officials, candidates, party affiliates, or related persons are prohibited from calling or organizing meetings, rallies, or slogan-shouting, as well as any other form of propaganda aimed at supporting or opposing any candidate or political party.

They are also barred from holding discussions, interactions, meetings, conferences, workshops, or symposiums that involve election propaganda.

Additionally, soliciting votes or promoting election propaganda through any method, process, or means is not allowed.

The posting or sharing of any messages, information, or propaganda materials supporting or opposing any political party or candidate through social media, online platforms, print media, or any other means is also prohibited.