KATHMANDU, Feb 22: The Election Commission (EC) is preparing to enforce the election code of conduct from next week, barring the government from promoting and transferring its officials and bringing new development projects, among other things. 

A board meeting of the EC has decided to enforce the code of conduct after revising some provisions of the already-prepared document. Another meeting is scheduled for Wednesday before enforcing the code for various stakeholders. “Most probably, tomorrow's meeting will decided the date for implementing the election code of conduct. It will come into operation within this week,” said Election Commissioner Ishwari Prasad Paudyal. 

Contrary to the previous practice of enforcing the code on the government immediately after the announcement of poll dates, the election body is delaying the enforcement this time. 

In the 2013 CA election, the EC had announced enforcement of the code 120 days ahead of the November 19 poll.

Asked about the reason for delay in enforcing the code, election commissioners said they wanted to revisit the document in view of the changed context, and there was no bad intent.

“We want to revisit the election code and make it a doable document in the change context,” said Commissioner Paudyal. “We believe development projects should not be affected and the government also should not feel any sort of difficulties in its work,” he said.

The EC has already prepared an integrated election code of conduct targeting the government, political parties, I/NGOs and the media. But this time, the election body wants to revise before enforcing it.  A Code of Conduct Implementation Committee headed by Commissioner Sudheer Shah is revising the document.  

The code of conduct comes into effect for the government immediately after the poll date is announced. It, however, applies to political parties, I/NGOs, media and other stakeholders after the parties file their nominations at the election offices. 

The code of conduct bars the government from making any political appointments and promotions and transferring civil servants after the code comes into operation. The government, however, can take decisions including appointments in some exceptional cases, but with the consent of the election body. 

The code also imposes a number of restrictions on political party election campaigns, including on  funds and logistics that they could use in the run up to the elections.

The code bars the political parties from resorting to wall graffiti, use of banners, face paintings and use of loudspeakers, which were common during all past elections. 

 
• election commission
 
• election code of conduct
 
• local level election