Acting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Ram Prasad Bhandari appealed to all media outlets not to conduct any form of opinion polls ahead of the March 5 elections to the House of Representatives. 

CEC Bhandari made the appeal while addressing a program organized by the Election Commission today to mark the 10th Election Day.

Bhandari reminded that since the Election Code of Conduct prohibits opinion polls, action will be taken against those who violate it. 

He also underscored the need for heightened vigilance during the election period, noting that misinformation can easily spread with false news presented as true and vice versa. 

Calling upon supporters of political parties to work towards conducting the elections by complying with the Election Code of Conduct, he emphasized that they should refrain from defaming others through social media. 

“Let us work based on truth and facts. As social media has become a sensitive issue during elections, let us be careful while using it,” he requested. 

Appealing to the voters, he urged them to elect the right representatives without yielding to pressure or undue influence.

On the occasion, he shared that a security meeting has been convened to devise election related security policies and strategies for the successful conduct of the elections. 

Furthermore, he cautioned that the Office of Election Officer in the respective districts could take action against those found campaigning in breach of the Election Code of Conduct. 

The Commission also reminded election observers to perform only the duties assigned to them.

He requested all involved, including volunteer educators engaged in voter education, staff assigned to the election process, security personnel and everyone associated, to work in a way that encourages maximum voter turnout and ensures that all cast votes are counted.

Bhandari emphasized that even a small mistake in elections can lead to major problems, so it is necessary to work attentively with high morale.