For the House of Representatives elections scheduled for February 21, the Election Commission of Nepal has proposed a provision in its draft election code of conduct that would prohibit candidates from using any vehicle without prior authorization.
Under the proposed rules, candidates and political parties will be barred from conducting election campaigns or displaying campaign materials using vehicles other than those officially approved by the Commission. Any vehicle used without permission will be seized and subjected to legal action.
The draft code authorizes traffic police and other security personnel to detain such vehicles and requires them to report the action to the District Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee.
With prior approval from the election officer, candidates may use a maximum of two vehicles—two-wheelers, three-wheelers, or four-wheelers—powered by electricity or fuel, within their respective constituencies or areas of candidacy, as determined by the Commission. In locations where motor vehicles cannot operate, the use of up to four horses will be permitted.
The draft explicitly bans the use of vehicles bearing foreign number plates and states that no authorization will be granted for such vehicles. Political parties may use vehicles only after completing the required procedures and strictly within the number and type approved by the Commission. Modifying the structure or appearance of vehicles for campaign purposes is also prohibited.
Vehicles approved for one political party or candidate may not be used by another. The proposed code further prohibits any party or candidate from using authorized vehicles to transport voters.
However, exceptions are provided for specific groups of voters. Pregnant women, postpartum mothers, women carrying their own children, individuals performing last rites, persons with physical disabilities, and senior citizens may use vehicles on polling day if permission is granted by the election officer.
The draft code also requires political parties to submit the name of their chief campaigner to the Commission. Only chief campaigners approved by the Commission will be allowed to use helicopters for election campaigning.
