Nation ready for polls, only ballots awaited: PM Karki

By Harikrishna Sharma,Muktinath, Mustang, Feb. 21: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that with the House of Representatives (HoR) election set to be held simultaneously across the country, the only step left is for the citizens to cast their votes.

Visiting Muktinath temple, and some places in Mustang on Friday to review preparations for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, Prime Minister Karki directed officials to ensure that the polls are conducted on the designated date in a fair, fear-free and credible environment nationwide.

Arriving in Mustang by a Nepali Army helicopter, the Prime Minister participated in an election-focused discussion at the Indra Box Battalion in Jomsom,. Members of the District Security Committee and Chief District Election Officer Bidyaraj Paudel were present in the meeting.  

Prime Minister Karki said that as weather conditions in the Himalayan district have become favourable, debates surrounding the second phase of the election have effectively concluded.

“The snow has melted in the Himalayan districts, and the weather is steadily improving. Even in areas where there are obstacles, voting will take place after clearing them,” she said. 

The Prime Minister added that only in the event of heavy snowfall on polling day alternative arrangements would be considered. She instructed authorities to clear snow-covered roads and settlements and to step up preparations accordingly.

Prime Minister Karki also emphasised the need to facilitate access for citizens in remote areas to reach polling stations, particularly those that are geographically distant.

She said that the Election Commission has already dispatched the necessary materials across the country and that ballot papers will be sent within this week. “All that now remains is for citizens to cast their votes,” she said.

Chief District Officer Ajita Sharma briefed the Prime Minister on the overall situation in the district, including monitoring of polling stations and security arrangements, stating that preparations are under way to ensure voting takes place at the designated centres.

Discussions were also held regarding the polling centre at Sanga village in Ward No. 5 of Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality, where snow has accumulated along the road network leading to the site. Although relocating the polling centre was considered, the District Administration Office, Mustang, stated that efforts would be made to clear the road using a bulldozer to ensure voting takes place at the designated location.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Chhiring Krippa Lama, Chief of Indra Box Battalion Gauravdhwaj Khand Thakuri, Armed Police Force Deputy Superintendent Bheshraj Giri, and National Investigation Department Chief Bishnuhari Pandit were also present during  the discussion. 

Meanwhile, during her visit, Prime Minister Karki offered prayers at the sacred Muktinath Temple in Baragung Muktikshetra-1. She also interacted with pilgrims during the visit. She was welcomed by Rural Municipality Chairperson Rinjin Namgel Gurung and Assistant Chief District Officer Ek Narayan Bhandari. On the occasion, Chairperson Gurung briefed her on the infrastructure requirements and ongoing works at the temple.