Now candidates can also advertise in online media. Parties and candidates will be allowed to broadcast advertisements through online media. The Election Commission has informed about this by issuing a statement on Thursday.
The Election Code of Conduct 2079 mentions the conduct related to the use of media that must be followed by political parties or candidates. Under this, political parties or candidates can conduct election campaigns through television, radio or FM radio and newspapers.
However, there was no clear provision in the code of conduct regarding the promotion of online media. Focusing on the same issue, the Commission has published six points for clarification regarding online propaganda.
“Since it is appropriate to arrange that political parties or candidates can use the media for election campaigning, it has been decided that under the Election Code of Conduct, 2079, political parties and candidates will be allowed to conduct election campaigning in online media that are registered with the Information and Broadcasting Department and listed in the Press Council of Nepal as follows,” It is written in the statement.
Candidates or political parties should focus on the following points while promoting online. It is said that if it is found that it is contrary to that, it will be considered as a violation of the code of conduct.
-Political parties or candidates can transmit video content of up to one minute related to election campaigning through online media,
-Political parties can advertise roadblocks, content blocks, homepage banners, detail page banners, box advertisements through private sector online media.
– It should be stated that there is a paid advertisement in the election propaganda material published or broadcast through online media,
-Election propaganda materials carried out through online media should not include abusive language, false information, misinformation, malicious expression, and if such topics are included, it will be considered a violation of the election code of conduct. Now candidates can also advertise in online media.
-Publication or broadcast in foreign online media while election campaigning through online media
– Details of expenses incurred by political parties or candidates for election campaigning through online media should be included in the details of election expenses to be submitted in accordance with prevailing laws.
