27th October 2022, Kathmandu
Election Commission(EC) has ordered the immediate closure of Facebook pages ‘NO NOT AGAIN’,’ No, Not Again’, and ‘No. Not again’ groups that contain defamatory statements against the party’s top leaders.
The Commission has asked for the immediate removal of such pages and groups, saying that top leaders have been defamed in such Facebook groups and it violates the election code of conduct.
The commission said that defamatory expressions, and misleading and malicious audio-visual content made through such groups in the context of the registration of candidatures for the elections to be held on Mangsir 4, are considered offenses according to Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act, Section 23 of the Election Offenses and Punishment Act 2073.
Similarly, the commission also says that such activities are against the code of conduct of elections.
Shaligram Sharma Poudel, the spokesperson of the commission, said in a statement that the offender will be fined up to one lakh rupees or imprisoned for up to five years or both for any violation.
The Commission has also been requested to remove such pages and groups immediately and not to engage in such activities from now on.
EC recently had a meeting with top social media companies to control hate speech and misinformation for fair conduct of elections.
