Kathmandu, February 26
The sale, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages have been banned for the entire election period. A meeting of the High-Level Election Security Committee decided to impose a ban on the sale, distribution, and consumption of alcohol from seven days before the voting date until the final election results are announced.
Voting will begin at 7 am on March 5. In accordance with Section 3 of the Election Security (Management) Directive, 2078, the High-Level Election Security Committee formed under the directive decided, as part of the election security plan, to prohibit the sale, distribution, and consumption of alcohol from seven days before the voting date until the final results are declared.
The Election Commission stated that, based on an assessment of the security situation and guidance and recommendations related to security arrangements, the High-Level Election Security Committee has also made and implemented other necessary decisions to ensure that the election is conducted in a free, fair, credible, and fear-free environment.
According to the committee’s decision, election campaigning will be prohibited from 12:00 midnight on March 2. The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all Chief District Officers and security agencies across the country to ensure full compliance with the Election Code of Conduct during this period.
Additionally, the District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee has been instructed to mobilise designated individuals and mechanisms to prevent activities prohibited under Section 24 of the Election (Offences and Punishment) Act, 2073, and Sections 17 and 18 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082. If any such activities are found to have taken place, immediate legal action will be taken in accordance with prevailing laws, and the Commission will be informed.
On the day of voting, all public and private vehicles will be prohibited from operating, except for vehicles providing essential services, vehicles belonging to diplomatic missions, and those that have obtained passes for election purposes. This restriction will be in effect from 12:00 midnight on March 4 until voting concludes on the evening of March 5.
Essential service vehicles include ambulances, fire engines, hearses, blood transport vehicles, security forces’ vehicles, and vehicles used for electricity maintenance, drinking water and sewage repairs, and telecommunications service maintenance.
