The Election Commission has decided to implement the code of conduct for the upcoming Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections from Wednesday onwards.

A meeting of the commission, on Tuesday, decided to enforce the election code of conduct from Wednesday until March 19, the commission’s Information Officer Shaligram Sharma Poudel said.

The elections for the post of president and vice president have been scheduled for March 9 and March 17, respectively.

In a notice issued by the commission, it claims that questions raised against compliance with the code of conduct during the election of the highest and most dignified post like that of the President would be inappropriate.

“It is the responsibility of all parties concerned to maintain the integrity and credibility of the election by following the code of conduct,” reads the notice.

The commission further appealed for the cooperation of all sectors to conduct the elections in a fair manner.

With 332 lawmakers in the federal parliament, and 550 in the provincial assemblies, a total of 882 lawmakers will cast their votes for both the posts.

Nepali Congress’ senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel, and CPN-UML vice-chair Subas Nembang have registered their candidacy for the post of the Head of State.

Poudel’s candidacy was proposed by Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal, Maoist Centre’s Senior vice-chair Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Federal Council Chairman of Janata Samajbadi Party Ashok Rai and Abdul Khan of Janamat Party.

The candidacy was seconded by President of Loktantrik Samajbadi Party Mahanta Thakur, Congress vice-president Purna Bahadur Khadka, Nagarik Unmukti Party Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha, Chairman of the Rastriya Janamorcha Chitra Bahadur KC and Maoist Centre’s Hitraj Pandey.

Similarly, Nembang’s candidacy was proposed by UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, Deputy General Secretary Prithvi Subba Gurung, secretaries Gokarna Raj Bista, Raghubir Mahaseth, and Chhabilal Bishwakarma.

Other leaders of the same party Yogesh Bhattarai, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Juli Kumari Mahaseth, Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa, and Aman Kumar Maskey seconded the proposal.

The final name list of all candidates will be published today, the commission said.