No votes cast at two polling centres in Dang

By Liladhar Oli, Ghorahi, March 5: Even after more than three hours since voting began, voting has not yet started at two polling centers in Dang. 

Voting has not started at Janata Basic School in Jilla, Babai Rural Municipality–1, and Deuti Secondary School in Tallo Malaikhola-7 polling centre.

"Although all preparations for voting have been completed, the polling center remains empty due to the absence of voters," said polling officer Chiranjivi Khadka from Janata Basic School in Jilla.

 According to him, there are 682 registered voters at that polling center.

Similarly, voting has not started yet at Deuti Secondary School in Tallo Malaikhola-7. 

Local residents living in the buffer zone of Banke National Park, which falls under Babai Rural Municipality wards 1 and 7, have taken a stance of boycotting the election while demanding relocation of their settlements.

Chief District Officer Bishow Prakash Aryal said that efforts have been made to encourage voters in the area to participate in the election, but so far they have not agreed to take part in the voting process.

People affected by Banke National Park who are currently protesting have not cast their votes at the Babai–7 Deuti Secondary School Malaikhola polling center and the Babai–1 Janata Basic School polling center. As voters have not arrived, the polling centers remain deserted.