In a statement highlighted in NepalNews' February 5 evening briefing, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) expressed serious concern about patterns it is observing in the run-up to the March 5 House of Representatives election.
The NHRC says its monitoring teams have documented candidates using undignified language and hate speech during rallies and online campaigning. It also reports cases where digital technology has been misused to record or expose secret ballots and infringe on voter privacy, as well as media coverage that predicts winners prematurely and may shape voter perceptions before any vote is cast.
The commission has urged all political actors to immediately halt violent activities, including vandalism of party offices, and to conform strictly to both the Election Code of Conduct and Nepal's human rights obligations. While the NHRC does not administer the election, its intervention adds pressure on the Election Commission and security agencies to treat hate speech, intimidation and digital surveillance as serious threats to a free and fair vote.
For voters, the message is that unfair campaigning is not just about big rallies or money; it also includes attempts to manipulate information and fear in subtle ways. The NHRC's warning invites citizens to think critically about sensational social media posts and partisan 'predictions' that appear before voters have their say.