EC to enforce election code of conduct from Sept 18

The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday has decided to enforce the CA Member Election Code of Conduct from September 18 in a phase-wise manner.

According to the EC, the code would come into effect for government, semi-government and local bodies on Sept 18. Political parties and candidates would have to comply with it, effective from September 30 and October 5, respectively following the registration of candidacy for proportional electoral system and first-past-the-post, it added.

For the media, the code would become operational from October 11 when the EC distributes election symbols to candidates contesting for first-past-the-post.

Later speaking at a program organized by South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), Nepal, on Saturday Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Bhojraj Pokharel urged all political parties, their candidates, government and media to cooperate with the EC by internalizing the letter and spirit of the code of conduct to make the CA poll free, fair and credible.

Pokharel also urged the government and concerned authority to take immediate initiatives to resolve surfacing disputes and improve security situation across the country.