Pokhara, 28 January | The Election Commission (EC) of Nepal has intensified its surveillance as the country gears up for the House of Representatives election on March 5 (Phagun 21). On Tuesday, the commission issued clarification notices to high-profile candidates, including RSP senior leader Balen Shah, CPN-UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet, Shram Sanskriti Party Chairman Harka Sampang, and independent candidate Nicholas Bhusal, for allegedly violating the Election Code of Conduct. Balen Shah, contesting from Jhapa-5, faces serious allegations of using “hateful, misleading, and defamatory” language against CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. According to the complaint, Shah referred to Oli as a “murderer of 76 children and a terrorist” on social media without any legal evidence, which the EC deems a violation of democratic discourse.
Similarly, Mahesh Basnet, a candidate from Bhaktapur-2, has been asked to explain remarks that allegedly insulted the Madhesi community. It is reported that Basnet misinterpreted a word used by Balen Shah in Janakpur to incite communal hatred. In Sunsari-1, Harka Sampang is under fire for mobilizing children in his election campaign. The commission received reports that Sampang had children wear party-branded t-shirts during promotional activities, a direct breach of child rights and election norms. The commission has also sought an explanation from Nicholas Bhusal in Rupandehi-2 for confusing voters by using dual election symbols, specifically promoting an “iconic shoe” alongside his assigned symbol.
The EC has issued a total of seven clarifications, including one to Januka Pathak for making derogatory comments like “rapist and murderer” against other candidates. Additionally, the Health Volunteers’ Association has been questioned for holding a convention during the code of conduct period without permission, and a separate query has been raised regarding a suspicious teacher transfer. All accused individuals and entities have been given a three-day deadline to submit their responses. Commission sources stated that if the explanations are found unsatisfactory, the candidates could face fines or further legal action under the Election Act, ensuring the integrity of the upcoming polls remains intact.
