November 11: The Election Commission (EC) has issued a six-point directive for political parties to publish and disseminate their election publicity materials for the upcoming elections.    
The election to the member of House of Representatives and Province Assembly is being held on November 20 in a single phase throughout the country.    
EC spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel said that political parties and the candidates can carry out election canvassing on online media registered with the Department of Information and Broadcasting and enlisted with the Press Council Nepal as per the Election Code of Conduct, 2022.    
As per the decision, political parties and candidates will be allowed to disseminate visual materials related to their election campaigning through online media for a maximum of one minute.    
Similarly, the political parties can also disseminate election publicity materials on online media of private sector as banner, detailed page banner, box advertisement, roadblock, content block as well as the homepage. However, it should be indicated on the election publicity material that it is paid advertisement.    
The election publicity material disseminated in this way should not include in it any content that is defamatory to anyone, fake information, misinformation and hate speech. If this type of content is found in the election publicity material, it would be considered a violation of the Election Code of Conduct.     
The code of conduct also bars the dissemination of their election publicity materials by parties and candidates on foreign online media.    
The political parties and candidates are required to submit to the EC the details of the expenditure while disseminating the election publicity materials through online media and include it in their election expenses details.    
Directive to make polling stations inclusive and disabled-friendly    
Meanwhile, the EC has issued directives for making the polling stations inclusive and disabled-friendly. It has directed the Chief Election Officer, the Election Officer, Polling Officer and all employees deputed to conduct the election in this regard.    
The EC has emphasized on the strict adherence to the 'Gender and Inclusion Policy in Election Management, 2077 BS' and the 'House of Representatives and Province Assembly Member Election (Voting) Guidelines, 2079 BS'. -- RSS