KATHMANDU: The Election Commission has directed to shut down 11 online platforms involved in ‘live’ polls made in relation to the elections to the House of Representatives slated for March 5.

The Commission has recommended to the concerned authorities to take action against the platforms for conducting ‘live’ polls in violation of the code of conduct that prohibits conducting such polls, said Sita Pun, Joint Spokesperson of the Commission.

Speaking at an ‘Orientation on Election News and Code of Conduct’ program organized for women journalists in collaboration with the Election Commission here today, she said voters should be given the right to elect their own representatives., “We should prevent voters from unnecessary influence and such polls lead voters to a certain inclination.”

According to Section 23 of the Election Commission Act, 2073, violating the election code of conduct will result in a fine of Rs. 100,000 and cancellation of candidacy. Joint Spokesperson Pun said that the role of the media is important in making the election free, fair and fearless.

Presenting a working paper on ‘Journalists’ Code of Conduct in Elections’ at the program organised by the Rastriya Samachar Samiti, Federation of Nepali Journalists President Nirmala Sharma said that attention should be paid to the code of conduct for journalists and high professional practice should be enforced while disseminating news material for the election by respecting confidentiality.

She emphasized that while preparing news information should be prepared in a way that does not affect anyone based on region, gender, language, or culture and should not be used for personal gain.