KATHMANDU, Oct 28: The Election Commission (EC) has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against all sorts of harassment and discriminations at the workplace during election management. 

Towards this end, the constitutional body responsible to conduct and monitor the elections has issued 'Gender and Inclusive Policy-2077 BS'. The policy aims to contribute to strengthening democracy by making all phases and procedures of elections gender-friendly and inclusive, according to  the EC's Assistant Speaker Kamal Bhattarai

The EC would be active in protection, development, and empowerment of the women of all castes, regions, communities and those socially and economically backward and would ensure opportunities and access for them to minimize the gender-based violence during election period. 

The voting for the House of Representatives and provincial assembly elections is scheduled for November 20 this year simultaneously. 

The policy was put in place to aid achieving political objectives of the State to strengthen the federal democratic republic system by implementing the principle of proportional inclusiveness in governance as enshrined in the Constitution.

Equal access to the workplace including the election centres and stations would be ensured to women, senior citizens, Dalits, people with disabilities, sexual minorities and other marginalized communities so that they could exercise their democratic rights.

It is said that the EC had been conducting activities such as voter education taking into account the sensitiveness of women, senior citizens, people with disabilities, sexual minorities and other marginalized communities.

While formulating voter education programs, prior consultations were held with these targeted communities to introduce voter education as per their linguistic convenience and ease.

The EC will adhere to gender equality and inclusiveness in the selection and mobilization process of staff for the election in all phases and processes of the election such as recruitment of staff and their training, and selecting volunteers and observers.

If there were any complaints from staff and other stakeholders regarding gender-based discrimination, misconduct, and harassment during the election, arrangement has been made for them to lodge their complaints and getting heard.

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