Kathmandu. The government has issued strict directives targeting the Holi festival this year. Since the festival coincides with elections, the District Administration Office Kathmandu has prohibited organizing musical programs with stages and fairs. The decision was also made due to election security concerns, according to Assistant Chief District Officer Muktiram Rijal.
The notice states: “Gathering crowds on open streets and public places, organizing fairs and festivals, setting up stages for musical programs, selling, distributing, and consuming alcoholic beverages, and engaging in activities against the election code of conduct are strictly prohibited. Everyone concerned is requested to comply.”
The administration emphasized that Holi celebrations must not be used for election campaigning. It reminded that wearing or carrying election symbols, flags, logos, stickers, or clothing items such as caps, vests, t-shirts, jackets, shirts, scarves, badges, masks, or lockets with election signs is banned.
Targeting Holi, the use of clothing printed with election symbols or candidate photos—including vests, t-shirts, shirts, scarves—has been completely prohibited. To keep the festival dignified, throwing colors or water balloons against someone’s will has also been banned.
