Nepal: Election Commission faces criticism over inaction on code violations

February 24, 2026

Kathmandu: Nepal’s Election Commission is facing mounting criticism for failing to take action against alleged violations of the election code of conduct, despite receiving hundreds of complaints and issuing dozens of clarification notices, according to the Kathmandu Post.

The constitutional poll body enforced the code of conduct on January 19 for the March 5 elections, following consultations with political parties and public feedback. However, 35 days into its implementation, no penalties have been imposed.

No punitive action against violations 

As reported by the Kathmandu Post, the commission has issued 79 letters seeking written clarification from individuals and institutions accused of breaching election norms. Nine of them were asked to clarify twice after being accused of repeated violations. Yet, no punitive action has followed.

A senior office at the commission was quoted as saying, “Our job is to seek clarifications and present them before the commissioners to penalise them when their clarifications are not convincing. We are not sure why they are hesitant to take action as per the code of conduct and other laws, as per the Kathmandu Post.

Among the cases cited, Ashika Tamang, a candidate of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party from Dhading-1, was first asked to clarify after allegedly campaigning inside a school. Ten days later, she was again accused of using school children during campaigning. Her responses were deemed unsatisfactory, and she has been asked to furnish another clarification.

Similarly, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, a candidate of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) from Jajarkot, allegedly distributed money during campaigning. He, too, was asked to submit a second clarification after his initial response was found unclear.

What the code of conduct says? 

The code of conduct allows the commission to impose fines of up to Nepali Rs 100,000, cancel candidacies, or bar violators from contesting elections for up to six years. Other laws, including the Children’s Act, prohibit the use of minors in election campaigns, categorising it as an offence against children.

The Kathmandu Post further reported that violations extend beyond campaign conduct. More than half of the 68 parties contesting the polls, including the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), failed to publish their manifestos by the February 15 deadline set by the commission. Despite earlier warnings of action, no clarifications were sought from the defaulters.