Kathmandu: The Election Commission (EC) has issued a comprehensive 20-point directive to political parties in preparation for the House of Representatives and National Assembly elections scheduled for Falgun 21.

The guidelines aim to strengthen electoral governance, ensure inclusiveness, and maintain fairness throughout the election process. Assistant Spokesperson Prakash Neupane shared that the instructions were issued under Section 57 of the Political Parties Act, 2073 BS.

Ensuring Inclusive and Gender-Balanced Representation
The EC has instructed political parties to ensure at least one-third representation of women in their first-past-the-post (FPTP) candidate lists. Parties must also nominate candidates in ways that reflect Nepal’s social diversity, incorporating representation from Dalits, minority communities, and marginalized groups.

Additionally, the candidate selection process should align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting Nepal’s target of achieving 40% women’s representation in Parliament by 2030.

Guidelines for Responsible Political Conduct
Political parties have been reminded to remain loyal to the Constitution of Nepal and to respect the country’s diverse castes, communities, genders, religions, languages, and cultures. They must refrain from actions that could disrupt social harmony or damage relations among communities.

During campaigns, parties are prohibited from engaging in threats, abuse, discrimination, personal insults, or character attacks, particularly against women, children, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups. Propaganda harming the dignity of senior citizens, gender minorities, or other vulnerable communities is strictly forbidden.

Social Media Standards and Anti-Misinformation Measures
The EC has urged political parties to ensure that the content they share on social media is free from false, misleading, or hateful information. Messages that negatively impact the dignity or self-esteem of women and inclusive groups must not be disseminated. Parties are also encouraged to promote voter awareness regarding gender sensitivity, inclusiveness, the significance of elections, and the voting process.

Accessibility and Participation of Target Groups
Parties are required to support efforts to make polling stations, voting centers, and counting centers more gender- and disability-friendly.

They must include gender and inclusiveness agendas in their manifestos and ensure that women, inclusive groups, and target communities are adequately represented in training sessions, seminars, workshops, and discussions organized by the party.

Internal Code of Conduct and Transparency Requirements
The EC has instructed political parties to formulate and strictly enforce an internal code of conduct for their office bearers, members, and cadres. Effective measures must be taken against individuals who violate these rules.

After submitting the closed list of proportional representation (PR) candidates to the returning officer, parties must make the list public. Election manifestos must also be submitted to the Commission, and all campaigning must strictly follow those stated commitments.

Prohibition of Violence and Harmful Activities
Political parties are prohibited from engaging in activities that jeopardize Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national unity, or from spreading communal hatred.

They must also prevent acts that damage public, private, or government property or violate public morality. Parties are further restricted from obstructing or interfering with the activities of other political parties during the election period.