Prohibition on sale and consumption of alcohol during election period from today

Kathmandu. The sale, distribution and consumption of alcohol has been banned for the entire election period. A meeting of the High Level Election Security Committee has decided to ban the sale and distribution of alcohol from seven days before the date of voting till the declaration of the final results of the elections.

The voting will begin at 7:00 am on March 4. A meeting of the High Level Election Security Committee formed as per the Clause 3 of the Election Security (Management) Directive, 2078 BS decided to ban the sale and distribution of alcohol under the election security plan seven days before the date of voting until the final results of the election are declared.

According to the Election Commission, other decisions required for holding the elections in a free, credible and fear-free environment on the basis of assessment of the security situation and guidelines and recommendations related to security arrangements have been implemented after a meeting of the High Level Election Security Committee.

As per the decision of the High Level Election Security Committee, the election publicity campaign will be banned from 12 midnight on March 2. The Home Ministry has directed the Chief District Officers and security agencies of all the districts to fully abide by the election code of conduct.

Likewise, the District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee has been directed to mobilize the designated individuals and mechanisms to prevent 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.

Public and private vehicles except those of essential services, vehicles of diplomatic missions and vehicles with passes for use on the day of election will not be allowed to ply on the day of voting. The decision will be effective from 12:00 midnight on March 4 until the voting is completed on March 4.

Emergency service vehicles include ambulances, fire trucks, hearse vehicles, blood transfusion vehicles, vehicles of security bodies, repair of electricity, repair of drinking water and sewerage, and vehicles used for telecommunication services.