T-Shirts bearing candidate photos sold in Dhangadhi in violation of election code of conduct

Dhangadhi: With only six days remaining until the House of Representatives elections and four days left for campaigning, incidents of code of conduct violations are reportedly on the rise.

Point 4(d) of the Election Code of Conduct issued by the Election Commission prohibits the production, use, sale, distribution, or display of jackets, shirts, vests, T-shirts, hats, caps, gamchhas, masks, lockets, or other materials bearing the election symbols of political parties or candidates. These rules are intended to keep campaigning within limits and control unnecessary expenses and materials that could influence voters.

Despite this, T-shirts featuring candidate photos have been found on sale in some shops in Dhangadhi, particularly targeting the upcoming Holi festival. T-shirts displaying images of Rastriya Swatantra Party President Ravi Lamichhane and senior leader Balendra Shah (Balen), along with election symbols, have been publicly displayed in the market.

Chief of the Provincial Election Office, Premraj Bhatta, emphasized that such T-shirts cannot be sold, distributed, or used. He warned that necessary action will be taken against any violation following monitoring.

Assistant Chief District Officer and Monitoring Coordinator of the District Administration Office, Kiran Joshi, also cautioned concerned parties against engaging in such activities.