Use of Children in Campaigning and Violation of Code of Conduct by Ministers

  May 8, 2022 By: INSEC

According to INSEC Doti representative Ganesh Joshi, the political parties in the district have been involving children in the election rally against the code of conduct in the local level election to be held on May 13.

Although the election code of conduct mandates that children under the age of 18 should not be used in the programs of political parties, banquets should not be held, no party flag or emblem should be worn, children are being used in the election meetings of political parties in the district on a daily basis.

The major political parties of the district including CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, CPN-Maoist Center, Unified Socialist Party and National People’s Front have been using children in propaganda, distribution of candidate posters and slogan rallies.

Earlier, in a meeting held at the District Administration Office, the political parties expressed their commitment not to carry out any election-targeted activities in violation of the code of conduct.

Chief District Officer Shankar Bahadur Bista said that no official complaint has been lodged with the district administration despite receiving verbal and phone information that political parties have been using children in election rallies against the election code of conduct.

Chief District Officer Bista said that all the parties have already committed to abide by the election code of conduct and they will have to abide by it.

According to INSEC Darchula Representative Narendra Singh Karki, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Dilendra Prasad Badu and Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment of the Sudurpaschim Man Bahadur Dhami have violated the code of conduct.

It has been found that the security personnel have been participating in the election campaign against the election code of conduct after the complaint against the minister could not be heard for three days.

The Ministers had addressed the election meeting held in Naugad and Marma rural municipalities only on May 7. Earlier, Forest Minister Dhami had reached the ward of Naugad rural municipality and asked for votes in favour of the candidate.

In the election code of conduct 2078, it is mentioned that no minister of the province government or the federal government should campaign for or against any party or candidate.


INSEC Sudurpaschim Office, Dhangadi