'Voter turnout in HoR and provincial assembly elections stands 61 percent nationwide'

Published On: November 20, 2022 08:36 PM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


KATHMANDU, Nov 20: The Election Commission (EC) has said that the nationwide voter turnout in the elections to the members of the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies held on Sunday stood around 61 percent.

Addressing a press briefing organized at the EC headquarters in Kathmandu on Sunday evening, Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said the turnout percentage may slightly increase as they continue receiving details from districts across the country. 

“The nationwide voter turnout has stood at around 61 percent. This is likely to increase slightly as we continue receiving details from districts across the country,” he said, adding, “This is certainly less than what the EC had expected.”

The voter turnout in the twin elections is significantly lower as compared to the past two elections. The nationwide turnout in the elections held in 2013 stood at 77 percent while the turnout in 2017 elections was 78 percent. In the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections held in 2008, the nationwide voter turnout was limited to 59 percent.

According to Chief Election Commissioner Thapaliya, the elections were held largely in a peaceful manner with enthusiastic participation of voters except for a “few minor incidents” aimed at foiling the election process. He said that voting was put off in 15 polling stations across the country as a result of such incidents. “The Election Commission has already directed the concerned election offices in those districts to make necessary arrangements to hold the elections within two days,” he said.

While stating that the EC has already directed the local authorities to arrest and punish those responsible for disrupting the election process as per the existing laws related to election offense, CEC Thapaliya informed that preparations are underway to airlift ballot boxes of seven remote districts to the vote counting centres in the districts concerned with the help of Nepal Army’s choppers. “We expect to transport all ballot boxes by 4 PM tomorrow [Monday] if the weather permits,” he further said.

At least one person was killed in Triveni Municipality-7, Kosedi area of Bajura when police opened fire to contain the tense situation. At least two others were injured in the election-related violence. 

CEC Thapaliya asked the government to make necessary arrangements to provide treatment to the injured. He also extended condolences to the family of the person killed in Bajura.


 


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