The Election Commission has issued a 20-point directive to political parties ahead of the House of Representatives election scheduled for February 21. The Commission has also set December 26 as the date for the National Assembly election. Calling for cooperation from all sides, the Commission said the directive is aimed at ensuring transparency, inclusion, and good governance throughout the electoral process.
Assistant spokesperson Prakash Nyaupane said the directive was issued under Section 57 of the Political Parties Act, 2016, and applies to all registered political parties. The Commission has instructed parties to uphold inclusive and proportional representation by ensuring that at least one-third of their first-past-the-post candidates are women.
Parties are also expected to support Nepal’s national commitment to achieving 40 percent women’s representation in Parliament by 2030 and to choose candidates who reflect the country’s ethnic, linguistic, cultural, regional, and social diversity.
The Commission has emphasized that political parties must adhere to constitutional values and refrain from any actions that could disturb social harmony. Activities that insult or harm individuals on the basis of caste, religion, gender, language, region, culture, or community are prohibited. Parties must also help ensure that polling locations and vote-counting centers are accessible and gender-friendly.
The directive states that, except for positions reserved for women, Dalits, or minority groups, political parties must nominate at least one-third women candidates and maintain proportional and inclusive representation. Parties must also ensure that women and marginalized groups are actively included in their training programs, seminars, workshops, and internal discussions.
During campaigning, parties and candidates are barred from threatening, insulting, harassing, or attempting to damage anyone’s reputation. Content that undermines the dignity of senior citizens, women, persons with disabilities, or sexual and gender minorities is not permitted.
The Commission has also directed parties to avoid spreading misleading, hateful, or discriminatory information on social media and to ensure their online communication does not negatively affect women or marginalized communities.
Political parties are required to inform voters about the importance of elections, inclusive representation, and voting procedures through their campaign materials. They must also implement a code of conduct for party leaders, members, and workers, and take disciplinary action against those who violate party rules.
Campaign Discipline, Closed Lists, and Prohibited Activities
Parties contesting the proportional representation system must submit their closed lists within the Commission’s deadline and make them public after filing. The directive also bans any activities that threaten Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national unity, or inter-community relations. Parties are prohibited from damaging public or private property, disrupting public morality, or engaging in violent acts.
The Commission requires parties to prepare their election manifestos, submit them to the Election Commission, and base their campaigns on those commitments. Parties are also prohibited from using children in political or election-related activities. Additionally, no political party is allowed to obstruct, block, or interfere with another party’s lawful campaign activities during the election period.
