Nepal ministers can't campaign for local polls courtesy Code of Conduct

Kathmandu: The Election Commission has made it clear that sitting ministers cannot engage in campaigns for the local-level polls scheduled for May 14 as the election code of conduct has already come into force.

"You can reach the district headquarters, but you cannot go to village councils and municipal councils for campaigning.

 We have instructed chief district officers (CDOs) as well," Kathmandu Post quoted Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav as saying.

He even warned that flouting the code of conduct could be costly to the candidates.

Yadav also made it clear that use of helicopters for election campaigns has been completely banned.He asked the helicopter operators to submit their flight schedules on a daily basis to prevent their potential use for election campaigning.

As per the code of conduct, neither the government nor public institutions and local bodies can declare, approve or start any new policy, plan and programme once the code of conduct comes into force.

The government is also barred from creating new posts and opening vacancies. 

Nor will it be allowed to award or extend facilities to officials. Transfers of officials must also be put on hold.