Election Commission issues new work procedure for use of vehicles

Kathmandu. The Election Commission (EC) has issued the ‘Work Procedure on Vehicle Permit, 2082’ in view of the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 4.

The EC has issued the ‘Vehicle Permit Procedure, 2082’ with the objective of strictly regulating the use of vehicles during the election period.

According to the EC, the work procedure has been implemented with the objective of making the use of vehicles systematic, disciplined and controlled during the election campaign and on the day of voting.

It is necessary to clarify the process of permitting vehicles to be used by the representatives of political parties, candidates and candidates for election purposes.

According to the work procedure approved by the EC on February 2, the political parties, candidates and election representatives who want to use the vehicles have to submit an application in the prescribed format to the concerned election officer. An arrangement has been made for issuing the license by the returning officer on the basis of the application within the prescribed limit.

As per the procedure, candidates contesting the election to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies can use a maximum of two two-wheelers, three-wheelers or four-wheelers (electric or mechanical). A maximum of four horses can be used in places where vehicles are not operating.

In case of the local level election, the candidates for the post of mayor and deputy mayor of the metropolis and sub-metropolis will be allowed to use two light vehicles, while the candidates for the post of mayor, deputy mayor and chairperson or vice-chair of the municipality will be allowed to use one light vehicle.

The candidates for the post of ward chairperson and ward member will be allowed to use only one vehicle within the ward where the candidate is concerned.

The license to be issued for election publicity must mention the provision prohibiting the use of vehicles during the silence period.

If a vehicle is used without a license or if a vehicle is operated without a license or is operated during the silence period, such a vehicle will be taken under control and returned only after the election is over. The District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee will carry out regular monitoring and direct the local administration to take control of the vehicles if the violation is detected.

No other vehicles except those permitted will be allowed to ply on the day of voting. However, this rule will not apply to airplanes.

Permission has been made for the use of vehicles by the candidates, security personnel, office-bearers of the constitutional bodies, media, observers, observers, diplomatic missions, United Nations missions, foreign tourists, international organizations, observers, special guests and other bodies and individuals designated by the Commission.

In Kathmandu, the permission process will be conducted through the integrated vehicle movement desk to be set up at the EC premises while in other districts, the District Administration Office will issue the permission in coordination with the Chief Returning Officer.

As per the work procedure, vehicles with foreign number plates will not be allowed to be used for election campaigning.

However, vehicles carrying essential services such as ambulances, fire trucks, drinking water tankers, milk transporters, mortuary vehicles, hospital service, telecommunication and electricity and vehicles of diplomatic missions with CD number plates will not be required to take permission.