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Nepal

Boundary Delimitation

BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes

Source: Constitution 1990, article 105.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 10:21:00 UTC

BD02 The authority responsible for final approval of the constituency boundaries is:
b. The Boundaries Commission

Source: Constitution 1990, article 105.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 10:21:40 UTC

BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
a. "Equality" of population
g. Other

Comments: Generally electoral constituencies are delimited in proportion to the population, but for remote districts, like Manang at least one seat is guaranteed.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 105(2).
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:05:31 UTC

BD04 If population is a criterion, which population figure is used?
b. Citizen population

Comments: Generally electoral constituencies are delimited in proportion to the population, but for remote districts, like Manang at least one seat is guaranteed.
Source: Constitution, article 105(2).
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:15:17 UTC

BD05 The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
a. Legislature (specify chamber)

Source: Constitution 1990, article 105.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:15:56 UTC

BD06 What statistical or other reasons trigger the redrawing of electoral constituency boundaries?
h. Change in government

Comments: k.) Boundaries are redrawn every 10 years, when a national census has been made.
Source: Bishnu Pratap Shas, former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:18:10 UTC

Electoral Management

EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Election Commission
b. Full Address Bahadur Bhawan, Kantipath, Kathmandu Nepal
c. Telephone 977-1- 4226092
d. Facsimile 977-1- 226700
e. Email [email protected]
f. Website Address www.election-commission.org.np
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Keshav Raj Rajbhandari, Chief of the Election Commission
h. Information Officer Tej Mani Bajracharya
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections Nepali

Source: Election Commission of Nepal, www.election-commission.org.np
Last updated: 2004-08-16 10:07:44 UTC

EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
c. Local level

Source: Constitution 1990, article 104(1).
Last updated: 2004-08-16 10:08:38 UTC

EM03 The national electoral management body reports to:
f. Other

Comments: It is designed as an autonomous institution and does not need to report to any person or institution.
Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, Former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 10:10:20 UTC

EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
d. A national government department

Comments: d.) Ministry of Finance.
Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, Former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-10-05 09:08:59 UTC

EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
c. The legislature

Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, Former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 10:13:20 UTC

EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years

Comments: b.) For a term of 6 years.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 103(3).
Last updated: 2004-08-16 10:14:33 UTC

EM07 The national electoral management body chairperson, or equivalent, is chosen in the following way:
g. Other

Comments: Appointed by the King on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council. The Constitutional Council is consisted by PM, Speaker of HOR, Chairperson of Chamber 2, Chief Justice and Leader of the major Opposition Party in the HOR.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 117.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 10:16:28 UTC

EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
a. Total number: 13, 518, 839

Source: IIDS (International Institute for Development Studies), The Fourth Parliamentary Election. Kathmandu: IIDS, 2000.
Last updated: 2004-10-05 09:10:31 UTC

Electoral Systems

ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
f. A Governor General appointed by the Monarch

Comments: Nepal has always been ruled by monarchy irrespective to change of its position in the post-unification period: absolute monarchy (1768-1846), titular head under dynastic rule of the Rana Prime Minister (1846-1951), limited monarchy under multiparty system (1951-1960), absolute monarchy during partyless panchayat system (1960-1990), constitutional monarchy under parliamentary democracy (1960-2002), and more recently assertive/active monarchy since October 2002. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 (hence the 1990 constitution) states, “His majesty means the king for the time being reigning, being a descendant of the Great King Prithvi Narayan Shah and an adherent of Aryan culture and the Hindu religion.”
Source: Constitution 1990, article 27(1).
Last updated: 2004-08-13 15:29:28 UTC

ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
d. Leader of the party which forms the government becomes Head of Government

Comments: To be elected as member of the House of Representatives (HOR) is precondition to become eligible for the post of PM. In a condition that a party squares a simple majority of 103 out of total 205 seats of the HOR the leader of ruling parliamentary party is appointed as the PM by the king. In case none of parliamentary parties scores required seat of simple majority, a coalition government of two or more parties will be formed and the leader of either coalition partners (larger or small party) is appointed to the post of PM. If parties fail to form coalition, the chance will be given to the leader of the largest party in parliament to form a minority government.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 36(1) and 42(1-4).
Last updated: 2004-08-13 15:29:50 UTC

ES03 Does the country have a president?
b. No

Source: Constitution 1990.
Last updated: 2004-08-13 15:30:08 UTC

ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
b. Two chambers

Comments: The lower house, HOR, is consisted of 205 elected members, and the upper house, has altogether 60 members, 35 elected by MPs, 15 elected by elected members of local government (village/municipality and district levels), and 10 nominated by the King.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 44 and 46(a-c).
Last updated: 2004-08-13 15:32:27 UTC

ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
a. Plurality (FPTP)

Comments: Nepal is divided into 205 electoral constituencies. The adult citizens of 18 years and above are eligible voters and a candidate who scores highest number in total valid votes is elected from his/her respective constituency.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 45(2).
Last updated: 2004-08-13 15:33:51 UTC

ES06 What is the electoral system for Chamber 2 of the national legislature?
l. Other

Comments: Three different systems are adopted in selection of the total 60 members: a) nomination of 10 by the King, b) 35 members, including 3 women, are elected by the members of the HOR on the basis of PR by means of the single transferable vote, and c) 15 members, 3 from each of five development regions, are elected on the basis of the system of single transferable vote by an electoral college consisting of the Chief and Deputy Chief of Village Development Committee (VDC) and Municipalities and Chief, Deputy Chief and Members of District Development Committee (DDC)
Source: Constitution 1990, Article 46(a-c).
Last updated: 2004-08-13 15:39:36 UTC

ES07 If List PR is used, is a highest average formula used?
h. Not applicable

Last updated: 2004-08-16 08:09:57 UTC

ES08 What is the level at which seats are distributed in Chamber 1?
b. Specially delimited constituencies

Comments: Nepal is divided into 205 electoral constituencies and the voters of each constituency elect a member of HOR from their own respective constituency.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 45(2).
Last updated: 2004-08-16 08:15:19 UTC

ES09 What is the level at which seats are distributed in Chamber 2?
e. Other

Comments: Three different systems are adopted in selection of the total 60 members: a) nomination of 10 by the King, b) 35 members, including 3 women, are elected by the members of the HOR on the basis of PR by means of the single transferable vote, and c) 15 members, 3 from each of five development regions, are elected on the basis of the system of single transferable vote by an electoral college consisting of the Chief and Deputy Chief of Village Development Committee (VDC) and Municipalities and Chief, Deputy Chief and Members of District Development Committee (DDC).
Source: Constitution 1990, article 46, 1(a-c).
Last updated: 2004-08-16 08:21:28 UTC

ES10 Are special constituencies or seats reserved in Chamber 1 for specific groups, such as minorities, specific nationality or other groups?
b. No

Source: Constitution 1990, article 46.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 08:22:10 UTC

ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
e. Not applicable X

Last updated: 2004-08-16 08:22:33 UTC

ES12 Are special constituencies or seats reserved in Chamber 2 for specific groups, such as minorities, specific nationality or other groups?
a. Yes

Comments: 3 out of total 60 seats is allocated for women.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 46(1 b)
Last updated: 2004-08-16 08:25:05 UTC

ES13 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 2, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved:
b. Women - proportion of total seats (%) 5%

Comments: 5% of the total seats.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 46(b).
Last updated: 2004-08-16 08:26:13 UTC

ES14 What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a party to win seats in Chamber 1?
a. No minimum

Comments: There is no minimum specified either in the Constitution or Electoral law of Nepal for a party to win seats in chamber 1. Only, there is a mention that a party whose popular vote is less than 3 percent will not be given a status of national party.
Source: Constitution, article 113 (2 d).
Last updated: 2004-10-06 09:15:46 UTC

ES15 What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a party to win seats in Chamber 2?
a. No minimum

Comments: There is no mention of minimum threshold of votes required for a party to win seats elections in chamber 2 either in the Constitution or the Electoral law.
Source: Constitutiton.
Last updated: 2004-10-06 09:16:15 UTC

ES16 What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a candidate (independent/party) to win a seat in Chamber 1?
a. No minimum

Source: Constitution 1990.
Last updated: 2004-10-06 09:17:15 UTC

ES17 What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a candidate (independent/party) to win a seat in Chamber 2?
a. No minimum

Comments: Please note that there is no direct elections to the lower house.
Source: Constitution 1990.
Last updated: 2004-10-06 09:17:26 UTC

ES18 Regarding the timing of the elections for Chamber 1, which of the following is true? Elections take place:
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)

Comments: a.) Every 5 years. However, mid-term elections can be called at any time if the Prime Minister dissolves the HOR and recommends for a mid-term election.
Source: Constitution, article 53(4).
Last updated: 2004-08-16 08:33:46 UTC

ES19 Regarding the timing of the elections for Chamber 2, which of the following is true? Elections take place:
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)

Comments: The tenure of a member is 6 years but since it is a permanent house one third of them is replaced by every two years. Please note that there is no direct elections to the lower house.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 46(2).
Last updated: 2004-10-06 11:05:41 UTC

ES20 Regarding Chamber 1 elections (excluding advance voting, postal voting, etc):
a. Voting takes place on one day

Comments: Election can be scheduled for two or more days, as happened in the 1999 parliamentary elections, depending upon the country’s situation and decision of the Election Commission.
Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, Former Chief Election Commissioner, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 08:51:12 UTC

ES21 Regarding Chamber 2 elections (excluding advance voting, postal voting, etc):
c. Not applicable

Comments: For 35 members voting takes place in the Lower Chamber (Chamber 1). For 15 it takes place in headquarters of 5 development regions. 10 others are nominated.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 46(1).
Last updated: 2004-10-05 09:06:40 UTC

Legislative Framework

LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
a. Part of Constitution
b. Separate legislation

Comments: Constitution 1990, Law of the Elections of the House of Representatives 1991; Constituency Delimitation Act 1991, Election Commission Act 1991, Election Crime and Punishment Act 1991, Election Code of Conduct 1996.
Source: Constitution 1990, Law of the Elections of the House of Representatives 1991; Constituency Delimitation Act 1991, Election Commission Act 1991, Election Crime and Punishment Act 1991, Election Code of Conduct 1996.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 09:25:00 UTC

LF02 What is the date of the latest version of the national electoral law (including latest amendments)?
b. January 1990- December 1999

Comments: Law of the Elections of the House of Representatives 1991; Constituency Delimitation Act 1991, Election Commission Act 1991, Election Crime and Punishment Act 1991, Election Code of Conduct 1996.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 09:26:54 UTC

LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections

Comments:
Source: Election Commission Act 1991, Election Crime and Punishment Act 1991, Election Code of Conduct 1996.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 09:28:11 UTC

LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary

Comments: a) There is no provision either in the Constitution or the Electoral Law that makes voting compulsory at national level.
Source: Constitution 1990.
Last updated: 2006-11-21 19:58:54 UTC

LF05 Are there provisions in the law which permit or require regional and/ or local election (s) to be held on the same day as national elections?
a. National elections are not held on the same day as regional or local elections

Comments: There is no legal provision on this issue.
Last updated: 2004-10-05 09:08:17 UTC

LF06 Are there provisions in the law which permit or require presidential election (s) to be held on the same day as national legislative elections?
c. Not applicable

Comments: There is no presidential elections in Nepal.
Last updated: 2004-10-06 10:54:27 UTC

LF07 What are the agency(ies) responsible for first level of formal electoral disputes?
c. Specially Appointed/Elected Electoral Tribunal

Comments: A special judiciary tribunal is appointed by the government on the recommendation of Election Commission.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 106.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 09:33:26 UTC

LF08 If the agency(ies) which settles formal disputes is/are specially appointed/elected; by whom?
h. Not applicable

Comments: A special judiciary tribunal is appointed by the government on the recommendation of the Election Commission.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 106.
Last updated: 2004-10-06 10:54:51 UTC

LF09 Who has the right to submit cases to the person or agency(ies)which settles formal disputes?
a. Candidates

Source: Constitution, article 106.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 09:36:03 UTC

LF10 What body(ies) is the final appellate authority for formal electoral disputes?
b. Constitutional (or similar) Court

Source: Constitution 1990, article 106. Interview with Bishnu Pratap Shah, Former Chief Election Commissioner, January 2004.
Last updated: 2006-11-21 19:58:54 UTC

LF11 Which body(ies) proposes electoral reforms?
a. Election Management Body

Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, Former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 09:38:02 UTC

Media and Elections

ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster? Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
h. Not applicable

Comments: There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:08:26 UTC

Parties and Candidates

PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
f. Other

Comments: A party applies to be registered at the Election Commission, mainly after the announcement of the election. The Election Commission can deny the party to be registered if it's formed on caste/ethnic, communal and religious lines.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 113.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 13:04:52 UTC

PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
d. No registration required

Comments: 35 members are elected by Chamber 1, 15 members are elected by the headquarters in 5 development regions and 10 members are nominted by the King.
Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991.
Last updated: 2004-10-05 11:51:11 UTC

PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship

Comments: a.) 21 years.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 47(a).
Last updated: 2004-08-16 13:20:57 UTC

PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship

Comments: a.) 35 years.
Source: Constitution 1990, article 47(a).
Last updated: 2004-08-16 13:22:10 UTC

PC05 What are the legal qualifications for becoming a candidate at presidential elections?
k. Not applicable

Comments: There are no presidential elections in Nepal.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 13:22:52 UTC

PC06 What can disqualify a candidate at legislative elections?
a. Current criminal incarceration
f. Holding of military office
g. Holding of government office
h. Bankruptcy or Insolvency
k. Mental health problems
n. Holding of other public offices (police etc.)

Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 27.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 13:24:25 UTC

PC07 What can disqualify a candidate at presidential elections?
o. Not applicable

Comments: There are no presidential elections in Nepal.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 13:25:08 UTC

PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
c. In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
d. In legislative elections (Chamber 2)

Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 31.
Last updated: 2004-10-05 11:50:55 UTC

PC09 If independent candidates can compete in legislative elections (Chamber 1), what are the registration requirements?
c. No registration requirement

Source: House of Represenatives Member Act 1991.
Last updated: 2004-10-05 09:25:37 UTC

PC10 If independent candidates can compete in legislative elections (Chamber 2), what are the registration requirements?
c. No registration requirement

Comments: Please note that there is no direct elections to the lower house.
Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991.
Last updated: 2004-10-06 11:06:30 UTC

PC11 If independent candidates can compete in presidential elections, what are the registration requirements?
e. Not Applicable

Last updated: 2004-08-16 14:08:58 UTC

PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
a. No

Comments: There is no specific law in this regard.
Last updated: 2004-10-05 11:56:33 UTC

PC13 If political parties receive direct/indirect public funding, when do they receive this?
d. Not Applicable

Last updated: 2004-08-17 08:32:43 UTC

PC14 If political parties receive indirect public funding, identify the type of funding:
e. Not Applicable

Last updated: 2004-08-17 08:32:59 UTC

PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
f. Not applicable

Last updated: 2004-08-17 08:33:17 UTC

PC16 If political parties receive public funding, what is the specified purpose?
e. Not Applicable

Last updated: 2004-08-17 08:33:32 UTC

PC17 Are political parties entitled to private funding?
a. Yes

Comments: There is no specific law in this regard.
Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, Former Chief Election Commissioner, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-10-05 11:59:34 UTC

PC18 If political parties are entitled to private funding, for what period?
c. As related to the election period and between elections

Comments: There is no specific law in this regard.
Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, Former Chief Election Commissioner, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-10-05 11:59:20 UTC

PC19 Which of the following party financing provisions are applicable?
a. Public disclosure of party contributions received
b. Public disclosure of party expenditure
c. Prohibition on party funding from foreign sources
e. Ceilings on party election expenses

Comments: Alternative a, b, and c are stated in the Political Parties Registration Act that is yet to get royal ceil.
Source: Election Code of Conduct 1996.
Last updated: 2004-10-05 11:58:13 UTC

PC20 Which of the following candidate financing provisions are applicable?
c. Prohibition on candidate funding from foreign sources
e. Ceilings on candidate election expenses

Source: Election Code of Conduct 1996.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 08:37:28 UTC

PC21 Who is responsible for administering and enforcing party income/funding regulations at national level?
a. National Electoral Management body

Source: Election Code of Conduct 1996.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 08:54:09 UTC

Vote Counting

VC01 What are the characteristics of ballots used at national legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Single ballot (all registered parties listed)
f. Same ballot papers used nationwide
i. Party symbols in black and white
o. Ballots signed or otherwise authenticated by polling station official
r. Other

Comments: i.) Party symbols and other symbols for newly registered party and independent candidates.
Source: Election Process of The Kingdom of Nepal, Election Commission, 1999.
Last updated: 2004-10-05 12:37:11 UTC

VC02 What are the characteristics of ballots used at national legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
a. Single ballot (all registered parties listed)

Comments: The names of the candidates are listed on the ballot only. Please note that there is no direct elections to the lower chamber.
Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, Former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-10-06 09:14:22 UTC

VC03 What are the characteristics of ballots used at presidential elections?
s. Not Applicable

Comments: There is no presidential elections.
Last updated: 2004-10-06 11:02:42 UTC

VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
c. At special counting centres

Comments: c.) Office of the Chief District Administration.
Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 57 and 58.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:25:11 UTC

VC05 What procedures are used in the initial count?
j. Sorted into piles according to individual party/candidate
l. Counted by hand

Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 59.
Last updated: 2004-10-06 11:03:06 UTC

VC06 Following the sorting and counting, to where are the results first transmitted for consolidation?
a. Polling centre (several polling stations in same building)

Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 67.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:38:09 UTC

VC07 At what levels are seats allocated?
b. District level
c. Regional level (specify whether it is constituency/ province/ state/ department/other)

Comments: e.) Constituency level.
Source: Constitution, articles 45(2) and 46(1).
Last updated: 2004-10-05 12:27:18 UTC

VC08 How are the initial/preliminary polling results transmitted and communicated to the different levels?
b. By telephone
c. By fax
e. Radio

Comments: The results are first announced at the counting center and then transmitted to the Central Office of the Election Commission.
Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 67.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:42:48 UTC

VC09 If the polling results are physically transported, what is transported?
i. Not applicable

Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:43:09 UTC

VC10 If the polling results are physically transported, what security measures are used?
k. Not applicable

Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:43:22 UTC

VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
d. By request

Source: Election (Offences and Punishment) Act 1991, article 20.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:44:44 UTC

VC12 If automatically recounted, what is the trigger?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:44:58 UTC

VC13 If ballots are recounted by request, who can make the request?
b. An individual candidate

Comments: b.) The candidate and/or his/her agent.
Source: Election (Offences and Punishment) Act 1991, article 20.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:46:18 UTC

VC14 If recounted, who conducts the recount?
a. National Election Management body

Comments: a.) A polling or returning officer.
Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 65.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:47:56 UTC

VC15 Are preliminary results announced?
b. No

Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:48:18 UTC

VC16 If preliminary results are announced, how long after the close of polls is this done?
d. Not applicable X

Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:48:51 UTC

VC17 Is there a legal requirement for the declaration of the officially certified results?
b. No

Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:49:08 UTC

VC18 How long after the close of polls is the certified results publicly announced? (if there is no legal requirement enter the average time)
a. hours:

Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 67.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:49:51 UTC

Voter Education

VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
g. NGOs/ Civic Organizations
h. Political parties/ candidates
i. Media

Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:46:36 UTC

VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
b. Election time only

Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:47:41 UTC

VE03 Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
h. Yes, conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations

Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:48:30 UTC

VE04 What types of voter education activities were carried out at the most recent national elections?
a. Poster/ Billboard campaigns
b. Media advertisement
h. Other

Comments: h.) hand-outs
Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:49:21 UTC

VE05 What types of civic education activities were carried out at the most recent national elections?
a. Poster/ Billboard campaigns
b. Media advertisement
h. Handouts (printed material)

Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:49:57 UTC

VE06 Special voter education programs were developed at the most recent national elections for:
f. Illiterates

Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:50:16 UTC

Voting Operations

VO02 Is there a code of conduct for election officials?
a. Yes

Source: Election Code of Conduct 1996.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 08:55:48 UTC

VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections

Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 43, 54.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 08:56:46 UTC

VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
a. Outside the country voting is not permitted

Source: Act Relating to Electoral Rolls, 2052 (1995).
Last updated: 2004-10-05 12:11:48 UTC

VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
g. Not applicable

Last updated: 2004-08-17 08:59:52 UTC

VO06 Can people vote in advance of the designated national election day(s)?
a. No

Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:00:09 UTC

VO07 If electors can vote in advance of the designated national election day(s), how may they do so?
f. Not applicable

Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:00:26 UTC

VO08 If electors can vote in advance of the designated national election day(s), specify who:
g. Not applicable

Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:00:41 UTC

VO09 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
b. No

Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 31.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:01:28 UTC

VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
b. No X

Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 31.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:02:11 UTC

VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot

Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 44.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:02:55 UTC

VO12 How many staff are assigned to each polling station?
a. The smallest polling station: 5

Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, Former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:03:44 UTC

VO13 Approximately how many hours of training were provided to the presiding polling officer for the most recent national elections?
a. hours: 2 days.

Comments: 2 days.
Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, Former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:05:20 UTC

VO14 Approximately how many hours of training were provided to the other polling officials for the most recent national elections?
a. hours: 1 day.

Comments: 1 day.
Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, Former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-17 09:05:58 UTC

Voter Registration

VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18

Source: Constitution 1990, article 45(6).
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:18:58 UTC

VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
b. Period of Residence
c. Citizenship of Parents
d. Naturalization

Source: Constitution 1990, articles 8 and 9.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:34:49 UTC

VR03 What restrictions on registering to vote and voting exist in the country?
c. Detention
d. Mental disability
h. Other

Comments: He or she must not have been certified by a recognized physician as mentally retarded, must have not been convicted with imprisonment under the Election (Crime and Punishment) Act 1990 for one year and a year has not elapsed from date of release.
Source: Constitution 1990, articles 8 and 9.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:39:11 UTC

VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)

Source: Constitution 1990, article 104(1).
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:40:10 UTC

VR05 What is the registration method for national elections?
b. Voters register

Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 4.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:40:54 UTC

VR06 How frequently is the voters register updated?
b. Annually

Source: Bishnu Pratap Shah, former Chief election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:41:26 UTC

VR07 What methods are used to compile and update the voters register?
e. Appearance by voter at registration office
j. Other

Comments: The Election Commission also appoints enumerators to go door to door in the village and towns for compiling name of voters.
Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 4.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:43:27 UTC

VR08 Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
a. Yes

Source: House of Representatives Member Act 1991, article 4.
Last updated: 2004-08-16 12:44:21 UTC

May 20, 2008 08:19 AM