61 % voter turnout; PM Deuba thanks all for contribution in polls

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.

PM Deuba thanks all for contribution in polls

Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the voting under the elections to the House of Representatives (HoR) and the Province Assembly were concluded successfully in a peaceful manner.

He thanked one and all for their contributions to conclude the parliamentary and provincial elections in a peaceful, fearless, impartial and encouraging way. Voting under the polls took place on Sunday (November 20).

Stating that all Nepali people have been fulfilling their responsibility for strengthening democracy and safeguarding the constitution, the PM in a statement said that having practiced their right to vote in the elections had once again reflected their devotion and dedication to democracy.

Saying the periodic elections were mandatory in democracy, he expressed the hope that poll results would help build an equitable society based on democratic culture while making the country self-sufficient and prosperous.

He also thanked entire Nepali sisters and brothers, the Election Commission, employees and security forces deployed for the polls, election observers, national and international, political parties and journalists for their contributions. The government and political parties have got additional inspiration and encouragement with active and encouraging participation of voters in the polls, he said. (RSS)