Election silence period: What cannot be done; EC to remove publicity materials

Kathmandu / May 10: The silence period for the local level election commences from midnight today. The country is going to the local election on May 13.

The Election Commission (EC) said that during this special period, election campaigns are prohibited in all forms.

The EC has already asked the political parties and candidates to remove publicity materials kept within 300 meters of the polling stations. Likewise, the government has decided to ban public transport on election day.

Election campaigns in all forms, asking for votes, using social media platforms for election campaigns, persuading voters and publicity, publication of any news contents that intend to persuade voters and ask for votes or promote election campaigns are prohibited during the silence period.

The government has also banned the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks during this period.

Liquor sale and consumption banned in view of local polls

District Administration Offices in all three districts in the Kathmandu Valley have decided to ban the sale and consumption of alcoholic products in view of the May 13 local level election.

Issuing a notice separately today, the respective DAO informed that the decision shall come into effect from midnight today and continue till May 13, the day fixed for holding the elections at entire 753 local levels in a single phase.

Lalitpur’s chief district officer Ghanshyam Upadhyay confirmed that the office has issued a public notice about the prohibition of the sale and intake of alcohol. Security agencies at all six local levels in the district have directed the subordinate security mechanism to ensure the effective enforcement of the decision.

According to Bhaktapur CDO Rudradevi Sharma, violation of the order is punishable and the sale and consumption of alcohol are proscribed near the vote counting venues until the counting gets over. As she said, the use of liquor may rise during the election time and it may jeopardize security, that’s why its sale and consumption are prohibited during the election.

Likewise, the Kathmandu DAO said it will not let the sale and use of alcohol from today midnight to May 13.