Kathmandu- The Election Commission has allowed political parties and candidates to conduct election campaigns through mainstream and online media for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for Falgun 21, as per the Election Code of Conduct, 2082.
According to the code, political parties may broadcast election advertisements on television, radio, or FM stations up to four times within a 24-hour period, with a minimum one-hour interval between broadcasts. Each advertisement must not exceed one minute. The same provision applies to candidates contesting under the first-past-the-post electoral system.
For print media, parties and candidates are allowed to publish election promotional materials in only one newspaper per day, with a maximum size of four columns by 25 centimeters.
The Commission has also permitted election campaigning through online media outlets that are registered with the Department of Information and Broadcasting and listed with the Press Council Nepal. Online campaigning may include formats such as banners, homepage displays, content blocks, and in-news box advertisements. Audiovisual campaign materials published online must be limited to one minute.
The EC has made it mandatory to clearly disclose free advertising in all election campaign materials published or broadcast through online media. It has also stated that all expenses incurred during election campaigning, including online promotions, must be included in the election expenditure statement to be submitted as per prevailing law.
The code of conduct prohibits the use of abusive language, false information, propaganda, or hate speech in election-related materials. It also bars foreign media outlets from publishing or broadcasting election-related propaganda within Nepal.
