Election Commission has barred ministers from visiting eight districts of Province 2 where the last leg of local level elections is taking place on September 18.

However, the restriction excludes ministers who would exercise voting rights from the districts.

The EC said that the ministerial visits to the districts of Province 2 could foil the environment of fair and impartial elections. Some ministers were found involved in promoting their respective parties in the polls.

The EC has already enforced silence period effective from midnight today.

“The EC has urged the ministers, except those exercising voting rights from the districts of province 2, not to be present in the province 2 until the elections are held,” read a statement issued by EC spokesperson Nawaraj Dhakal on Friday.

On the top of that, the EC has also asked the ministers who would exercise the voting rights to comply with the election code of conduct.

The EC has also sent a letter to all the Chief District Officers (CDOs) of Province 2 instructing them not to allow ministers from making publicity visits.