EC Proposes Strict Limits on Vehicle Use During Election Campaign

As the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 4 draws closer, the Election Commission has proposed strict restrictions on the use of vehicles during the campaign period through a draft code of conduct.

Under the proposal, candidates will be prohibited from using vehicles for campaigning without prior approval from election officials. Any unauthorised use of vehicles for election activities will be treated as a violation, leading to seizure of the vehicle and further action by the District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee.

Candidates will be allowed to use a maximum of two approved vehicles within their constituency. Only electric or passenger-fuel two-, three- or four-wheelers will be permitted, while up to four horses may be used in areas without road access. Vehicles with foreign registration plates are completely banned.

Political parties must also obtain approval for campaign vehicles and are barred from sharing them or using them to transport voters, except in special cases with permission. The draft further requires parties to officially designate a chief campaigner, with helicopter use limited to those approved by the Commission.