Election Commission Proposes Strict Limits on Campaign Flags to Curb Excessive

The Election Commission has proposed new restrictions on the use of flags and campaign materials during election campaigns, aiming to prevent excessive and disorderly प्रचार activities. The proposal is part of the draft code of conduct prepared for the House of Representatives election scheduled for February 21.

Under the proposed rules, political parties and candidates will be allowed to use a maximum of 10 flags during campaign activities such as mass meetings, rallies, corner meetings, and door-to-door outreach programs. The commission stated that the provision is intended to discourage the misuse and overdisplay of party flags, which has become increasingly common during elections.

The draft code of conduct further restricts the use of promotional materials beyond basic identification. Parties and candidates will be permitted to display party flags and election symbols measuring three to four feet only at party or candidate offices. Apart from this, the use of digital boards, flex banners, glow signboards, audio systems, and audiovisual displays for campaign purposes will not be allowed.

According to the proposal, political parties and candidates may place only one banner or flex displaying the party or candidate name and election symbol. During door-to-door campaigns, the number of participants—including the candidate, proposer, and supporters—must not exceed 25 people. The draft also prohibits the use of musical bands, processions, or decorative floats during campaign activities.

The commission has also proposed sweeping restrictions on campaign activities through electronic and public platforms. Campaigning through websites, television scrolling, shopping mall displays, call centers, bank ATMs, counters, or street dramas will not be permitted. However, political parties and candidates will be allowed to publish campaign-related information on one official and private website.

Additionally, the draft code bars the public display of arches or decorative structures made from party flags or election symbols. Wall writing, as well as rallies conducted using vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, bicycles, rickshaws, carts, or animal-drawn transport, has also been prohibited under the proposal.

The Election Commission said the proposed code of conduct is aimed at ensuring that the election process remains clean, peaceful, dignified, and fair. By limiting visual clutter, noise pollution, and aggressive campaigning, the commission hopes to promote issue-based competition and maintain public order during the election period.