Kathmandu, March 5: Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) has said that around 60 percent voter turnout was recorded in Thursday’s House of Representatives elections, according to preliminary estimates. However, it was a low turnout as compared to previous elections.
According to the Commission, voting took place from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari stated that the initial estimate indicates about 60 percent of voters cast their ballots.
He said the election, which was announced under special circumstances, was completed peacefully on the scheduled date. Bhandari added that voters who had entered polling centers before the closing time of 5:00 p.m. were still casting their votes at some polling stations, while the process of collecting detailed turnout data is ongoing.
Based on preliminary reports from national and international observers, the election across the country remained largely peaceful except for a few minor disruptions.
Chief Commissioner Bhandari also informed that vote counting will begin immediately after ballot boxes are safely collected in accordance with the Election Directive 2082.
He expressed gratitude to the Election Commission, Government of Nepal, provincial and local governments, security agencies, chief election officers, election officials, election staff, security personnel, political parties, candidates, voters, observers, and media personnel for their cooperation and coordination.
Responding to media quarries, Bhandari said that a significant number of Gen Z youth may have taken part in the election as nearly 10 lakh new voters registered this time and most of them were Gen Z.
The Commission said that ballot boxes from geographically remote districts are being transported by helicopter. All ballot boxes from Taplejung, Rasuwa, Dolakha, Bajhang and Eastern Rukum are expected to reach their respective counting centers today, while those from Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Gorkha, Western Rukum, Manang, Bajura and Humla will reach the counting centers by Friday morning.
According to the Election Commission, a total of 18,903,689 voters were eligible to vote in the election. #nepal #election
