Salyan holds voters orientation programme to reduce invalid votes

By Pratik Ichchhuk Sharma,Salyan, Feb. 15: The District Election Office in Salyan has announced that it has conducted orientation sessions for voter education volunteers who are assigned to all 83 wards across the 10 local levels in the district. 

This initiative aims to reduce the number of invalid votes in the upcoming election scheduled for March 5.

Arrangements have been made to conduct a voter education programme through digital materials, mobilising volunteers at the ward level from Sunday.

The office has informed that other educational materials, except for the sample ballot, will be used digitally.

District Election Officer Dhirendra Bhandari also said that special priority has been given to the use of digital technology in voter education, to reduce invalid votes in the election.

According to Bhandari, volunteers deployed in the ward will provide basic information on the correct way to vote, the use of ballot papers, and elections through mobile phone and social media.

“If voters do not receive accurate information on time, there is a possibility of increasing invalid votes, creating confusion, and decreasing participation. Therefore, the programme is being conducted to reduce the invalid vote and provide accurate information to all voters,” Bhandari said.

Prahlad Kumar Giri, Chief Election Officer of Salyan, stated that since elections are the cornerstone of democracy, an active role of all parties is necessary to maintain their integrity and credibility.

He urged all to pay special attention to reducing invalid votes, stating that democracy will be strengthened only if voters are aware, informed, and responsible.

The voter education programme will provide information on how to vote, the correct use of ballots, the importance of secret voting, the election code of conduct, and how to avoid false and misleading information that may be spread through social media.

There are a total of 162,449 voters in the Salyan district. Of these, 79,128 are women, and 83,321 are men. It is stated that monitors will be mobilised at all 10 local levels to ensure that the voter education programme is effectively implemented according to the prescribed action plan.

Arrangements have been made for the monitors to monitor daily activities and submit regular reports to the District Election Office.