‘Silent period’ to begin from tonight, liquor ban, borders sealed

KATHMANDU:’ The silent period for the elections of the House of Representatives and the State Assembly to be held on Nov 20 will start from 12:00 am night today. According to the Election Offenses and Punishment Act, the 48 hours before the polling is called the fixed time. During the fixed time i.e. during the silent period, no election material can be propagated in favor of the party or candidate.

Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari has informed that the 48 hours before the polling, which will be held on Nov 20 from 7 am to 5 pm, i.e., the silent period will start from 12 am tonight. According to him, discussions, interactions, meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, etc. cannot be held in favor of the party and candidates during the silent period. It is not allowed to solicit votes and campaign for election by any method. The respective parties and candidates must completely remove the propaganda materials of the parties and candidates placed in front of the polling station.

Commissioner Bhandari said that advertisements and promotional materials of candidates, parties and fraternal organizations through social media should be completely removed. He said that no message in favor of or against the party or candidate can be posted, shared, liked or commented on, including social media, print media or any other media.

The Commission has prohibited the sale, distribution and consumption of alcohol during the silent period. Shaligram Sharma Paudel, spokesperson of the Commission, informed that in order to maintain a peaceful situation during the voting and counting period, alcohol is prohibited from 48 hours before the date of voting until the counting of votes is completed. CDI, police have been instructed to ban alcohol and to closely monitor it, while the help of liquor dealers has been requested.

Spokesperson Paudel said that the Nepal-India border will be closed from 12 midnight on Thursday to implement the silence period. For this, coordination has been done with India through the Ministry of Home Affairs, District Administration Office and security agencies. The checkpoints will be closed until the voting is over. Election Commissioner Bhandari said that from three hours before the polling until the end of the polling, no work can be done to disturb the people or staff working in the polling station.

It is not allowed to disrupt the election environment in such a way as to disturb the peace or create fear and panic in the house, building or surrounding area where the polling center is located. Placing a sound system around the polling station, it cannot be played loudly. Playing instruments, singing, dancing, feasting, processions, any kind of meetings, ceremonies, hooting, or shouting are not allowed,’ he said. If these activities are against the code of conduct, action will be taken according to the Election Offenses Punishment Act.

Commissioner Bhandari said that instructions have been issued to the election officer, chief election officer, local administration, police administration to fully comply with the code of conduct. He warned that immediate action will be taken against those who violate the code of conduct during the silent period. The Election Offenses Punishment Act provides for a maximum fine of two lakhs and imprisonment for up to three years.