EC issues ‘Gender and Inclusive Policy-2077 BS’

The Election Commission has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against all sorts of harassment and discrimination at the workplace during election management.

Towards this, the constitutional body responsible to conduct and monitor elections has issued ‘Gender and Inclusive Policy-2077 BS’.

The Policy aims to contribute towards strengthening democracy by making all phases and procedures of elections gender-friendly and inclusive, according to Commission’s assistant speaker Kamal Bhattarai

The Commission would be active in the protection, development, and empowerment of women of all castes, regions, communities and those socially and economically backward and to ensure opportunities and access for them to minimize gender-based violence during the election period.

The voting for the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly election is scheduled on November 20 this year simultaneously.

The policy was put in place to aid in achieving the political objectives of the State to strengthen the federal democratic republic system by implementing the principle of proportional inclusiveness in the governance enshrined in the Constitution.

Equal access to workplaces including election centres and stations would be ensured to women, senior citizens, Dalits, people with disabilities, sexual minorities and other marginalized communities so that they could exercise their democratic rights.

It is said that the Commission had been conducting activities such as voter education taking into account the sensitiveness of women, senior citizens, people with disabilities, sexual minorities and other marginalized communities.

While formulating voter education programmes, prior consultations were held with these targeted communities to introduce voter education as per their linguistic convenience and ease.

The Commission will adhere to gender equality and inclusiveness in the selection and mobilization process of staff for election in all phases and processes of the election such as recruitment of staff, training, and selecting volunteers and observers.

If there were any complaints from staff and other stakeholders regarding gender-based discrimination, misconduct, and harassment during the election, arrangement has been made for them to lodge their complaints and get heard. (RSS)