Election preparations complete in Karnali

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT,Surkhet, Mar. 5: Preparations for the House of Representatives election have reached the final stage across several hill districts, with election materials delivered and security arrangements tightened to ensure a free and fair election.

According to our Sinja correspondent, polling teams led by polling officers have reached their designated centres, collecting 51 types of election materials and. They have also held all-party meetings to facilitate smooth and peaceful voting.

In Jumla, election preparations are complete. District Election Officer Dipendra Kandel confirmed that all required materials have been dispatched from the District Election Office. Assistant Election Officer Harikrishna Timilsena said that by Monday evening, ballot papers, ballot boxes and other essential materials had reached all 110 polling centres under 85 polling stations in the district.

A total of 654 staff members had been mobilised in Jumla. Each polling centre will have one polling officer, one assistant polling officer, three assistants and one office helper. The district has 71,739 registered voters.

Security has been strengthened based on risk assessments. Chief District Officer Deepak Paudel said that the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department have been deployed under an integrated election security plan. Nepal Police and election police will provide inner security at polling stations, the Armed Police Force will manage the middle perimeter, and the Nepal Army will secure the outer perimeter.

Jumla, which has a single electoral constituency, has nine candidates, including one independent. In Salyan, all polling staff and security personnel have reached their respective stations. According to the Office of the Chief Election Officer, election materials have safely arrived at all 205 polling centres under 117 polling stations. 

A total of 430 polling and assistant polling officers had been deployed. For security, Nepali Army teams have been stationed at 13 locations, while 1,406 election police, along with Nepal Police and Armed Police personnel, have been mobilised. Security forces are conducting regular patrols across the district.

Of the 117 polling locations in Salyan, 43 have been categorised as highly sensitive and 57 as sensitive. Chief District Officer Mahendra Kumar Sapkota assured that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure voting takes place in a peaceful, impartial and fear-free environment. Salyan has 162,449 registered voters, and 14 candidates, 12 from political parties and two independents, are contesting.

The Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee has urged strict compliance with the silence period that began 48 hours before voting. Campaigning, rallies, door-to-door canvassing and promotional activities, including social media advocacy, are prohibited during this period. Authorities have also directed the removal of campaign materials within 300 metres of polling centres.

In Kalikot, election materials have been delivered safely to all 128 polling centres, including remote Himalayan areas. Assistant Election Officer Sunil Kumar Khanal said ballot boxes, ballot papers, voter lists, stamps and booth materials have reached even the most inaccessible settlements. In some remote areas, materials were transported on foot and by horses and mules. Security has been reinforced with the joint deployment of the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force.

In Jajarkot, polling officials organised all-party meetings at the polling station level. Election staff and security personnel have reached all 147 polling centres. In remote Barekot Rural Municipality-3, Polling Officer Bhejjang Shah said he walked for over two and a half hours to reach his assigned centre due to the absence of road access.

Meanwhile, in Surkhet District Prison, 100 inmates are registered voters out of 424 prisoners currently housed there. According to prison information officer Bhuvan Gautam, participation figures will be confirmed after voting concludes.

With materials delivered, security forces deployed, and silence period regulations enforced, authorities across the districts have expressed confidence that the election will be conducted in a secure and orderly manner. The Election Commission has urged all voters to attend their designated polling centres on time and exercise their democratic right responsibly.