The Election Commission Nepal had allowed political parties and candidates to campaign from February 16 until 12:00 midnight today. From 48 hours before voting until the completion of voting, the “silence period” will be in effect, during which campaigning, speeches, gatherings, discussions, reviews, or any activity that could influence the election will be prohibited.
The Commission has stated that asking for votes, posting messages, or engaging in any activity intended to influence voters, including through movement or outreach, will not be allowed during the silence period.
Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari informed that if financial transactions aimed at influencing the election are found during this period, the candidate’s nomination may be cancelled, and they may be barred from participating in any election process for up to six years.
The Commission has clarified that it will adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward activities that influence the election. The silence period is expected to provide voters with an opportunity to cast their votes in a free, fair, and thoughtful manner.
The silence period is also considered important for election management. It allows election personnel and security forces to focus fully on maintaining peace, security, and orderly arrangements. Activities such as setting up polling stations, managing voter queues, and assessing security conditions are carried out during this time.
Former Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya has said that many countries observe a silence period ranging from 24 to 72 hours to ensure elections are conducted effectively in a fear-free environment and to give voters time to make informed and independent decisions.
According to the election code of conduct, candidates and political parties must remove election symbols and campaign materials placed within 300 meters of polling centers before the silence period begins.
During this period, seeking votes or campaigning through electronic means such as SMS, Facebook, Viber, and other social media platforms is prohibited. Similarly, publishing or broadcasting news or information that promotes any candidate or political party will not be allowed.
In the upcoming Thursday election, 65 political parties are competing under 61 election symbols in the first-past-the-post (direct) system. A total of 3,406 candidates, 3,017 men, 388 women, and one other are contesting under the direct system. Under the proportional representation system, 3,135 candidates, 1,363 men and 1,772 women, are in the race. Elections will be held for 165 direct seats and 110 proportional seats.
There are 18,903,689 voters in total, including 9,663,358 men, 9,240,131 women, and 200 others. Additionally, 186,142 temporary voters have been registered.
For the election, 23,112 polling centers have been set up across 10,967 polling locations nationwide, including 143 temporary polling sites. For security, 79,727 Nepal Army personnel, 75,797 Nepal Police, 34,567 Armed Police Force personnel, 1,921 National Investigation Department staff, and 149,090 temporary election police have been deployed.
A total of 215,000 election staff will be mobilized. The Commission has printed 42,251,200 ballot papers for both direct and proportional systems.
This time, four international and 39 national organizations have been deployed to observe the election.