Kathmandu. The Election Commission (EC) has decided to ban the operation of public and private vehicles from March 3 until the voting concludes.

A meeting of the High-Level Election Security Committee formed as per the Clause 3 of the Election Security (Management) Directive, 2078 in connection with the arrangement of effective security for the election to the members of the House of Representatives scheduled for March 4 has decided to use the vehicles of essential services (ambulance, fire truck, mortuary vehicle, blood transfusion service, vehicles of security agencies, electricity repair, drinking water and sewerage, repair of telecommunication services), vehicles of diplomatic missions and vehicles to be used on the day of the election The decision to ban the operation of other public and private vehicles from 12:00 midnight on March 4 until the voting concludes on March 4, said EC Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai.

The meeting also decided to send a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs to ban the sale and distribution of alcohol throughout the country until the final results of the elections are declared. The meeting also decided to commit to the sale and distribution of alcohol in all 77 districts for election security.

Spokesperson Bhattarai said that the Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent a letter to all the District Administration Offices through the Home Ministry to take immediate action against those involved in the activities prohibited ÷as per the Clause 24 of the Election (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2073 BS and Clause 17 and 18 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082 by mobilizing the individuals and mechanisms designated by the District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee.

A meeting of the High Level Election Security Committee decided to write to the Ministry to conduct the elections in a free, credible and fear-free environment based on review of plans, assessment of security situation and guidelines and recommendations related to security arrangements. The Home Ministry has directed the Chief District Officers and security bodies of all the districts to fully abide by the election code of conduct during the election campaign prohibition period that will come into effect from 12:00 midnight on March 2.

According to him, arrangements have been made to operate international and domestic flights as usual on the day of voting. Likewise, arrangements have been made for passengers who have tickets for international and domestic flights will be allowed to use the vehicle provided by the private or related airlines while traveling ÷from the airport to the hotel where they are staying ÷at home and from the hotel where they are staying at home to the airport.

The EC has also sent letters to all the 77 district administration offices through the Home Ministry to make arrangements to close the international border points of the concerned districts 72 hours before the election date along with all the tasks specified in clause (i) of the Election Security (Management) Directive, 2082.

Clause 43 and Clause 84 of the Election to the Members of the House of Representatives (Voting) Directive, 2082 states that a voter should go to the polling station with his/her voter identity card or Nepali citizenship certificate, national identity card or passport or land ownership certificate or driving license while going to vote. Spokesperson Bhattarai said that instructions have also been issued to disseminate information to all employees and stakeholders.

According to the Vehicle Permit Procedure 2082 issued by the Commission, a pass distribution unit will be set up at the Commission’s secretariat premises to provide vehicle passes to be issued by the Election Commission and the District Administration Office, Kathmandu on the day of voting. Two employees from the CIAA and two from the District Administration Office, Kathmandu have been assigned to the unit. The Commission has also urged all the stakeholders for necessary facilitation and coordination as per the decision.