Kathmandu, January 20
The Election Commission has said political parties and candidates are not allowed to carry out promotional activities for the National Assembly elections scheduled for Thursday after Monday midnight.
A total of 2,056 voters including 550 Provincial Assembly members and 1,506 chiefs and deputy chiefs of local governments in seven provinces will cast votes to elect 18 members of the 59-member Upper House on Thursday. The term of 19 lawmakers (one-third of the total) is ending next month; President Bidya Devi Bhandari will nominate one.
During the silence period of 48 hours (Tuesday and Wednesday), the parties and candidates cannot hold any public event to solicit votes, according to the Commission. Likewise, members of the civil society and media are also restricted from carrying out any publicity activity.
Before commencement of the silence period, the parties should remove publicity materials from the places within the distance of 300 metres from the voting centres. Likewise, garments and caps, stickers, logos, bags and tattoos featuring elections symbols should not be used, traded or demonstrated after the commencement of the period.
Promotion on social media is also punishable.
If any candidate is found to be violating the rule, the Commission can take action against them.
