Despite the overall positive environment ahead of the upcoming polls, election observers have recorded numerous violations of election laws, established norms, and the election code of conduct.

A preliminary report by Nepal’s prominent election observation committees suggests that, unlike previous elections, where violations were largely physical, this election has seen a significant rise in digital violations. The report by the National Election Observation Committee Nepal (NEOC), the NGO Federation of Nepal, the General Election Observation Committee Nepal (GEOC), and the Election Observation Committee Nepal (EOC) shows that the spread of false and misleading information through social media has seen an exponential rise from the previous elections.

“Hate speech, abusive and indecent social media posts, defamatory remarks and expressions through social media have become prominent,” said Arjun Bhattarai, president of the NGO Federation. “The fake news dissemination, negative campaigning by candidates and their affiliates, misuse of digital platforms to incite division, lack of transparency, and limited digital literacy have compounded the problem.”

The committees have pointed out that the monitoring and regulation of code-of-conduct violations are weak and delayed. Such violations have been committed not only by political parties and candidates, but also by voters, influencers, journalists, artists, social activists and individuals from various backgrounds, according to the preliminary findings.

The observers have cited that the limited resources of the Election Commission, Nepal Police, and the Cyber Bureau have made it difficult to check the code violations. Even as the commission has sought clarifications in around 100 cases, it has only fined two candidates so far.

Despite clear directives from the Election Commission, candidates and political parties have flouted the rules without hesitation. Pamphlets and posters bearing election symbols have been plastered across public spaces; campaign arches have been erected; and crowds have been mobilised far beyond the permitted limits during nomination filings, door-to-door canvassing, and rallies. There have been reports of materials being distributed to sway voters, children and schools drawn into partisan activities, and caps and T-shirts emblazoned with party symbols handed out freely.

Physical campaign materials continue to dominate public spaces, accompanied by the production and circulation of glossy promotional content.

“In several instances, government employees, teachers and even elected representatives have taken part in campaigns during office hours. Allegations of the misuse of state resources have surfaced in some areas,” reads the preliminary finding. “The principal icon of the September Gen Z movement [blood-stained shoe] has also been appropriated for partisan gain.”

Mass assemblies exceeding participant limit, excessive use of loudspeakers, late-night campaigning, hate speech against opponents and defamatory allegations and counter-allegations have questioned the poll's decency.

“The enforcement of the code of conduct has been visibly weak as the legal provisions remain outdated, particularly in addressing digital-era violations. Delays in adjudicating complaints have eroded public trust and led to repeated offenders, posing growing risks to the integrity of the electoral process,” the poll observers have found.

Even when there are explicit legal prohibitions on using children and educational institutions for political purposes, such practices persist in several places, underscoring the urgent need for more vigilant monitoring and credible enforcement, as per the findings.

The poll-observing bodies claim that voter education remains largely limited to basic instructions on how to cast a ballot. Such programmes have been conducted in limited areas, without adequate outreach to rural regions.

Observations indicate risks that candidates will exceed legal spending limits, fail to disclose actual expenses, and use financial influence to sway voters. Although the Election Commission has issued guidelines for managing campaign expenses through banking channels, effective monitoring remains challenging, as per the report. “Election manifestos lack clarity, credibility and accountability. There is little reflection on the implementation of past promises. Major national priorities, including good governance, climate change, migration, foreign policy, sovereignty, global market integration, disaster management, economic management, and employment, lack clear, actionable strategies.”

The four prominent poll observers have urged the parties and candidates to fully comply with the code of conduct, refrain from influencing voters through inducements or hate speech, and avoid unlawful financial activities. They have deployed hundreds of observers nationwide to closely monitor the process.

“We want free, fair and credible elections, where everyone can vote without fear. All four organisations urge stakeholders to act accordingly,” said Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, the NEOC president.