"The new Election Code of Conduct completely bans the use of social media for any election campaigning."

The Election Code of Conduct, 2082 and related directives explicitly restrict certain types of online behaviour, including operating fake accounts, spreading misinformation or hate speech, using artificial intelligence to manipulate content, and misusing official positions to campaign on social platforms. Coverage by The Himalayan Times, The Rising Nepal and NepalNews, and an explainer by Nepalitelecom, all highlight these rules. However, the Election Commission's own social media policy and public comments clarify that parties and candidates may still share their principles, commitments and action plans through their official accounts, as long as they respect the code. The claim that 'any' campaigning on social media is banned ignores this distinction between regulated and prohibited activities, and therefore oversimplifies the rules in a way that can confuse voters and campaigners.