KATHMANDU:- The Election Commission (EC) has announced that vehicular movement will be banned from 12:00 midnight on March 4 until the completion of voting for the House of Representatives (HoR). The voting will take place on March 5. The rule will apply to both public and private vehicles.
A high-level election security committee meeting made this decision. However, vehicles for specific and emergency purposes will be allowed to operate.
Ambulances, fire engines, mortuary vans, vehicles for blood transfusion services, vehicles of security agencies, and those used for electricity maintenance, water supply and drainage maintenance, telecommunications services, diplomatic missions, as well as vehicles granted passes to operate on election day, will be permitted to run.
According to EC Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the rule will remain in force from midnight on March 4 until the evening of March 5.
Likewise, the sale and distribution of beverages have been banned from one week prior to voting day until the announcement of the final election results. This ban applies nationwide. Violation of the rule is punishable by law, it is stated.
The meeting also agreed to write to the Ministry of Home Affairs to implement this decision, urging it to ensure that the election is conducted in a free, fair, and fearless atmosphere.
It has also been reported that the Home Ministry has already issued directives to the Chief District Officers and security agencies in all districts to ensure that the election code of conduct, meant for the election publicity prohibition period commencing from 12:00 midnight on March 2, is fully implemented.
Domestic and international flight schedules on March 5 will remain unchanged. Passengers on those flights will be allowed to use private vehicles or vehicles arranged by the respective airline companies while traveling between airports and their homes or hotels.
Through the Home Ministry, the EC has written to the District Administration Offices in all 77 districts to seal the international borders 72 hours prior to the Election Day.
As per the House of Representatives Election (Voting) Directive, 2082 BS, voters must carry a voter ID card, Nepali citizenship certificate, passport, land ownership certificate, or driving license while voting at the polling center.
According to the Procedure for Vehicle Permission, 2082 BS, issued by the EC, a pass distribution desk will be set up at the premises of the EC Secretariat for vehicle passes to be issued by the EC and the District Administration Office, Kathmandu. (RSS)