An orientation program for election observers was held on February 20 at the INSEC Central Office, jointly organized by the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) and the Children as Zones of Peace (CZOP) campaign.
INSEC Chairperson Bijay Raj Gautam recalled that INSEC has been observing elections since 1992. He stated that for the election scheduled to be held on March 5, observation will be conducted through representatives in 75 districts, except for two districts.
INSEC Chairperson Bijay Raj Gautam informed that INSEC will conduct observation before, during, and after the voting, and will submit a brief report to the Election Commission on the day of voting.
Moharaj Joshi, Law Officer at the Election Commission, stated that the Election Code of Conduct is crucial for election observation. Referring to Section 26 of the Election Directive 2023, which mentions observation organizations, and Section 27, which outlines provisions related to observers, he reminded that observers must carry out monitoring only at their designated locations. He further informed that observers must obtain an identity card from the Election Commission and secure a vehicle pass. Vehicles may only be operated upon the recommendation of the Chief District Officer, in accordance with the procedure issued on February 3.
Law Officer Joshi urged observers to enter polling centers and vote-counting venues only with the permission of the polling officer. He also requested that any obstruction preventing voters from entering polling stations be immediately reported to the Election Commission.
He emphasized that, as per the Code of Conduct to be followed by election observers, government or public institutions must not use their resources or property in favor of or against any political party or candidate. Observers, he stressed, must refrain from making comments for or against any candidate or political party.
The Election Commission has stated that monitoring will be conducted at various levels, including the Central Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, thematic sub-committees, election code monitoring teams, and district-level monitoring committees. It is informed that as of February 19, 70 clarification letters had been issued, and 43 responses had been received.
During the program, INSEC Director Bhargab Kafle raised a query regarding the practice of asking observers to sign as witnesses in cases of confusion at polling stations. In response, Law Officer Joshi advised against doing so.
INSEC Information Officer Krishna Gautam stated that since this year’s election is being held under special circumstances rather than as a periodic election, observers must play a responsible and accountable role to ensure the fairness of the election.
Similarly, INSEC Koshi Province Coordinator Manohar Pokharel, Lumbini Province Coordinator Bhola Mahat, and Sudurpaschim Province Documentation Officer Krishna BK, among others, raised concerns regarding social media posts violating the Code of Conduct by unidentified individuals, the requirement for candidates to open a separate bank account for election-related transactions, and the actions to be taken against candidates who fail to pay fines imposed by the Election Commission.
During the program, Tilottam Poudel, Chairperson of the Children as Zones of Peace (CZOP) campaign, urged the Election Commission to request political parties and candidates not to use children in election activities and to take action on complaints received regarding such incidents.
He stated that the use of children in elections places them at risk, and therefore, special attention must be given to this issue.
INSEC Director Madan Poudel informed that a total of 41 observers participated in the program, both physically and through online platforms.
The program emphasized that election observation will play a crucial role in maintaining freedom, fairness, impartiality, transparency, cost-effectiveness, and a fear-free environment in the upcoming House of Representatives member election scheduled for March 5.
