In early January, the Election Commission introduced new communication provisions under the Election Code of Conduct 2082, a development that continues to shape how parties and candidates approach digital campaigning for the March 5 polls.
According to Ujyaalo Nepal and other outlets summarising the EC's announcement, all campaign activities—including discussions, assemblies, workshops and solicitation of votes—are prohibited during the official campaign silence period, regardless of whether they take place offline or online. Political actors must now record and report expenditures on online media and social media advertising as part of their election expense statements.
The updated rules broaden the definition of social media and explicitly acknowledge the use of artificial intelligence (AI). They state that AI cannot be used to circumvent the code, for example by generating deceptive content or deepfakes that misrepresent candidates or institutions.
The EC insists that the intention is not to restrict press freedom but to ensure transparency and accountability in how money and technology are used to influence voters. Digital rights advocates welcome the recognition of AI risks but warn that vague language could either be under‑enforced or used selectively against unpopular voices.
For voters scrolling through their feeds, these changes may be invisible. But behind the scenes, they raise the stakes for how much of the 2026 campaign will remain in the shadows of opaque digital spending and synthetic content, and how much will be accountable to the same rules that govern rallies and door‑to‑door canvassing.