69 days remaining for HoR election: Who does code of conduct apply?

Kathmandu, Dec 26: It may be a curiosity for many as to which agencies the election code of conduct applies so as to make the upcoming March 5 polls free, fair and dignified.

Although elections were held several times in Nepal earlier, it is generally known in which areas the code of conduct applies.

According to the Election Commission-developed code of conduct which is currently under consultation, it is fully applicable to the ministers of the government of Nepal. Similarly, the code also applies to the provincial government and its ministers, constitutional bodies and their office-bearer, federal and provincial government bodies and their officials.

It will also apply to local municipal executives and their members, employees of federal, provincial and local levels, security agencies, security personnel and employees, offices and employees of government, semi-government and public institutions.

It has been proposed that the code of conduct should apply to political parties and their affiliated organisations, candidates and related persons, election representatives, election agents and counting agents of political parties and candidates.

Persons bearing public office, office-bearers of election observation committees, monitoring organizations and monitors, media house, their officials and employees, schools, colleges or universities, teachers and staffers. Voters, development partner organisations, projects operated by government and semi-government bodies and the staff of such projects, as well as institutions and staff involved in voter education programmes also come under the ambit of code.

Similarly, the code of conduct also applies to bank and financial institutions in the private sector, cooperative organisations, the commercial and industrial sectors, and their officials, employees and workers.

The code of conduct also applies to the officials, employees and workers of business establishments providing goods and services, as well as other bodies or individuals designated by the commission. The commission has stated that the proposed code of conduct will be implemented within a few days along with necessary feedback and suggestions. —