EC appeals voters to exercise franchise proactively

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 5: Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari has appealed to all voters to participate enthusiastically and actively in the election of the House of Representatives (HoR). 

At a press conference held at the Commission office on the eve of the election, he said that all preparations for the polls had been completed and appealed to the voters to take part actively. 

Acting Chief Commissioner Bhandari called upon citizens to participate in the election, describing it as a constitutional exercise to renew democratic legitimacy and to cast their valuable votes. 

Stating that voting, conducted to strengthen democracy, is both a right and a duty of citizens, Bhandari said exercising one’s franchise is not only a constitutional and legal right but also a civic responsibility towards democracy.

He assured that the voting would take place in a free, fair and fraud-free environment, adding that proper security arrangements have been made to ensure that voters can cast their ballots without obstructions.  

FPTP vote count to finish within 24 hours 

The EC has claimed that the vote counting for the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system will be completed within 24 hours of the commencement of counting. 

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Bhandari said the counting of FPTP votes would be completed within 24 hours of the collection of the ballot boxes. The counting of proportional representation (PR) votes will begin thereafter, Bhandari added. Despite geographical challenges, preparations are under way to collect the ballot boxes as swiftly as possible and deliver the results promptly, he said. 

EC’s Secretary, Krishna Bahadur Raut, said the Commission has already issued circulars to all 165 constituencies regarding vote counting procedures. 

Stating that technical arrangements have been put in place to expedite the counting process, Raut said the security measures at vote-counting centres, including wire fencing and CCTV installation, have been completed.

“If feasible, the ballot boxes will be transported by helicopter,” Acting Chief Election Commissioner Bhandari, added. “Within 24 hours of the commencement of vote counting, we will be able to publish the results of the winning candidates under the FPTP system.”

Ballot boxes from 61 locations across 15 districts to be collected by helicopter

The EC stated that ballot boxes from 61 locations across 15 districts will be collected by helicopter following voting. 

EC Secretary Raut said, “Ballot boxes from 61 locations in 15 

districts, from Taplejung to Darchula, will be collected by helicopter after voting and transported to the counting centres.”

The ballot boxes will be transported using a helicopter of the Nepali Army, said Raut. 

“The rest will be transported by other means of transport. Funds for transportation have been sent to the District Election Offices. Ballot boxes containing ballot papers will be brought in coordination with all security agencies,” he added. 

EC Acting Chief Bhandari clarified that no changes have been made to the traditional security arrangements for ballot box protection, adding that the Army will remain in the third security cordon.

“It is not a case that the Army will collect and bring the ballot boxes themselves. Ballot boxes will be transported using helicopters operated by the Nepali Army,” Bhandari said. 

“The ballot boxes will bear the seals of party representatives. Vote counting will only begin after party representatives confirm that the seals are intact,” he added. 

According to the EC, ballot papers, ballot boxes, staff and security personnel were also delivered by helicopter to 23 locations in Dolpa and four locations in Humla.

EC objects to pre-poll surveys 

The EC has objected to any form of opinion polls conducted before voting, as well as to the declaration of projected wins and losses based on such surveys.

Acting Chief Commissioner Bhandari said that such activities are against the law and the election code of conduct. 

He said the Commission is sensitive to the growing tendency of announcing results from outside even before voters have had the opportunity to cast their ballots.

He further informed that the Commission has already held discussions with the Press Council 

Nepal on the matter, and that some related issues have even reached the courts. 

According to Bhandari, the issue tends to become contentious on the eve of every election.

He further made it clear that the Commission is committed to putting a permanent end to such practice.