Preparation over for 1st-phase local polls, ECN urges all to vote confidently; PM appeals people to cast votes in local elections tomorrow

Kathmandu / May 13: As the country goes to the polls for the first phase of local level election tomorrow, the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) has reaffirmed completion of all its preparation for it and urged one and all eligible voters to exercise their franchise without any fear.

Speaking at a special press conference organized by the ECN at its media centre here today, Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav shared that the necessary preparations have been completed for the security arrangements for the poll being held across 34 districts of province no 3, 4 and 6.

Chief Commissioner Dr Yadav further said that the election officers and security personnel have already reached the 6,642 polling stations in the 283 local level units with necessary election materials.

The voters, whose total number stands at 4,956,925 in these provinces, will be electing a total of 13,556 people’s representatives including 186 rural municipality chiefs and same number of vice-chair, 97 Mayors and same number of deputy mayors of Municipalities. Similarly, 2,598 Ward Chairs and Ward Members, 2,598 women Ward Members, equal number of dalit women Ward Members and 5156 additional ward members from the inclusive quota would be elected.

“I appeal to all the voters to cast their votes without any fear as the necessary security mechanism has been put in place,” urged Dr Yadav.

The election is a part of the process for the effective implementation of the new constitution promulgated through the constituent assembly, he said, highlighting the need for the voters for voting the right way for the right candidates.

Altogether 49,337 candidates from various political parties are contesting in the May 14’s election where the participation of the women voters stands at 39 per cent. The number of women candidates includes 9,083 women Ward Members and 7,526 dalit women Ward Members.

It was also shared that 160 women and 169 men candidates were already elected unopposed.
The observation of the election will be conducted by the officials of the ECN as well as representatives from various 49 organizations.

The election officers facilitating the voters have been urged to prioritize facilitation for the voters with physical disability, pregnancy, old age or malady.

PM appeals people to cast votes in local elections tomorrow

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has appealed to voters to exercise their sovereign franchise by actively taking part in the local level elections, saying the polls are being held in course of implementing the Constitution.

In a statement on Saturday, Prime Minister Dahal said that the first phase of elections is being held tomorrow, May 14, as per the federal system of governance comprising three tiers, envisaged by Nepal’s Constitution.

A total of 13,556 people’s representatives in 283 local level units are being elected in the elections being held in 34 districts in Province No. 3, 4 and 6,” he said in the appeal.

As it is through elections that people exercise their sovereign rights in democracy, this election can be taken as the first opportunity for the Nepali people to enjoy their sovereign rights, he added, “Though many have described local elections as taking place after a gap of 20 years, it is actually the first time that such an election is taking place in Nepal.”

Prime Minister Dahal has also said that this election stands as a chapter in taking Nepal’s peace process to a logical end while putting an end to the long-running unitary and centralised system to be replaced with a federal form of governance, adding that the power and resources concentrated around Simhadarbar would reach to the doorsteps of the people.

Requesting voters to cast vote being free from any fear and doubts, PM Dahal has made it clear that the government has not spared anything from its side to conduct the polls in a free, fair and fearless manner, and added that a robust and reliable security provision has been arranged for the polls.

PM Dahal has also asked the government employees, teachers and security personnel deployed in the polls to meet their responsibilities in a restrained manner while appealing to the political parties and media persons to extend their support from their respective positions.

“Tomorrow is not only the day of voting. It’s a celebration of Nepal’s democratic history,” the PM said.

The PM has further appealed to the people of Province No. 1, 2, 5 and 7 to actively prepare for the local level polls slated for June 14. He said elections were fixed on the second phase in those provinces to ensure broader acceptability of the Constitution. RSS