KATHMANDU: Campaigning for the House of Representatives election scheduled for Thursday ended on Monday night, marking the beginning of a silence period until 5 pm on March 5.

Polling will be held under the first-past-the-post system for 165 seats of the lower house from 7 am to 5 pm on Thursday.

According to the Election Commission (EC), political parties, candidates, and their representatives are prohibited from soliciting votes, directly or indirectly, during the silence period.

During this period, all election-related activities, including campaign rallies, processions, door-to-door canvassing, and digital campaigning through social media platforms, are banned. The election code of conduct also requires the removal of party or candidate banners, flags, and posters placed within a 300-meter radius of polling stations. The provision aims to ensure a peaceful and dignified environment for voting.

According to the EC, the silence period will be strictly enforced as there is a higher risk of candidates attempting to influence voters through financial inducements or other means during this time.

“Round-the-clock monitoring is being carried out to track any violations of the code of conduct,” EC said in a statement, urging all stakeholders to refrain from holding discussions, interactions, rallies, conferences, or seminars during the silence period and to comply fully with the code.