One lakh fine & five years imprisonment for making defamatory speech against the leader

KATHMANDU: The Election Commission has ordered that fake Facebook pages and groups that publish “defamatory expressions and misleading and malicious audio/visual content” about party leaders be removed. Otherwise, someone will face a fine of one lakh rupees or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, under the law.

This warning was issued to Facebook pages such as ‘No, Not Again’ for spreading false information about the leader. Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act of 2063 and Section 23 of the Election (Crimes and Punishment) Act of 2073 both apply to such actions. (1), as well as clauses (j), (t), (l), and (d) of Section 4 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2079, are contrary to the Commission.

“As there is a provision for a fine of up to one lakh rupees or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, for those who commit the said offense, all concerned are advised to immediately remove the fake Facebook pages/groups and refrain from such activities,” said Shaligram Sharma Paudel, the commission’s spokesperson, “also, if the said Facebook pages/groups are not removed immediately, action will be taken according to the prevailing law, Behora is also informed.”