KATHMANDU:- The Election Commission (EC) is banning the sale and consumption of alcoholic products until the announcement of the final results of the election from today onwards.

The Commission has come up with the proposal as per the Election Security Plan that was approved by the High-Level Election Security Committee formed in line with the Election Security Management Directives.

Based on the assessment of the situation as well as guidance and recommendations regarding security arrangements, the Commission has issued directives to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed the Chief District Officers and security agencies of all districts to ensure full compliance with the election code of conduct.

The District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee has been instructed to deploy designated personnel and mechanisms to prevent prohibited activities as per the Election (Offences and Punishments) Act, 2073 and the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, and to take immediate action and inform the Commission in accordance with the prevailing law if any such activities are found.

On voting day, vehicles for essential services such as ambulances, fire engines, hearses, blood circulation services, security agency vehicles, electricity maintenance, and water and sewage maintenance will be able to operate without hindrance.

Similarly, vehicles used for telecommunication service maintenance, vehicles of diplomatic missions and vehicles with passes for use on Election Day will also operate smoothly.

The Commission has stated that public and private vehicles will be banned from operation from midnight on March 4 until the completion of voting on March 5.

Likewise, international and domestic flights will be arranged to operate as usual on Election Day.

Arrangements have been made to facilitate passengers with tickets for international and domestic flights to travel from the airport to their residence or the hotel they are staying at.

Likewise, when travelling from their residence or hotel to the airport, arrangements will be made for voters to use private vehicles or vehicles provided by the respective airline(s).

According to the House of Representatives Member Election (Voting) Directives, 2082, voters can cast a vote by showing their voter identification card or Nepali citizenship certificate.

Similarly, voters can go to the polling centre with a national/identity card, passport, land ownership certificate or driving license, and vote accordingly.

On the voting day, a pass distribution unit will be established on the Commission’s Secretariat premises to provide vehicle passes issued by the EC. RSS