"The Election Code of Conduct, 2026, applies only to candidates and political parties, not to government officials or security agencies."

The full text of the Election Code of Conduct, 2026, and summaries by Digital Rights Nepal and Nepal News make clear that the code applies to a wide set of actors, including federal and provincial governments and their ministers, constitutional bodies, local governments, civil servants, security personnel, media institutions and even voters. Recent ECN decisions such as instructing the Judicial Council to halt judge appointments during the code period underline that state institutions are bound by these rules. Digital Rights Nepal highlights that government agencies and security forces face restrictions on campaigning, use of state resources and digital propaganda under the same code that governs parties and candidates. The claim that officials and security agencies are exempt is therefore directly contradicted by both the legal document and its enforcement.