Nepal's Rights Commission Pushes for Fair Elections Amid Political Tensions

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on stakeholders to adhere strictly to the election code of conduct to ensure upcoming elections are human rights-friendly. The March 5 polls are the first since last year's protests that led to the fall of the previous government led by K P Sharma Oli.

Based on nationwide monitoring, the NHRC reports instances of voter privacy violations and the use of hate speech in campaigns. It highlights misleading news that predicts election outcomes before polling, causing voter confusion, and urges stakeholders to respect voter privacy and adhere to the election code.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki confirmed the elections would proceed on March 5, citing her commitment to a timely handover to an elected government. Despite criticism over potential weather disruptions, she assured the country that preparations, including ballot printing, are on track.