KATHMANDU, Nov 26: The first phase of the elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies concluded Sunday peacefully, the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

In a press statement on Sunday evening, the Ministry said the twin elections were held in 32 districts in a very exciting and peaceful atmosphere with the people’s enthusiastic participation.

The voter turnout in the phase I elections was around 65 per cent and safe transport of ballot boxes to the district headquarters from the polling stations is going on, Ministry spokesperson Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadi said in the statement.

The elections concluding in peaceful, impartial and fear-free atmosphere with people’s enthusiastic participation despite geographical remoteness, (adverse) weather condition and a few obstructions from some anti-election forces was itself a great achievement in course of institutionalizing federalism, the Ministry added.

The Nepalese Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and security personnel from the National Investigation Department were mobilized for the purpose of election security.

The Ministry thanking all those contributing to holding the elections hoped for the same kind of cooperation and support and people’s participation in the second phase of elections scheduled to be held in 45 districts on coming December 7. RSS

80% TURNOUT IN BAJURA, VOTE COUNTING ONLY AFTER SECOND PHASE POLLS

KATHMANDU, Nov 26: The Election Commission (EC) has said that the first phase of elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies held Sunday in 32 districts concluded in a peaceful and encouraging manner with huge participation of voters.

At a news conference organized on Sunday evening, Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said that the voting was completed in a peaceful environment in all 4,465 polling centers except sporadic incidents in the first phase.

He said, “The EC is happy to let you inform that the voting in 37 constituencies of House of Representatives and 74 constituencies of State Assemblies held today remained historically successful.”

Though the voting began slightly late in some voting centers due to lack of timely presence of the polling representatives, the voting started on time in all polling centers.

The EC also said that huge participation of voters has indicated Nepali citizen’s commitment to implement the constitution, institutionalize the federal democratic republic and offer political stability in the country.

Sharing the information that there was 65 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of the House of Representatives and State Assemblies elections concluded Sunday, the CEC said Bajura witnessed the maximum 80 percent turnout and the total turnout in the Sunday’s election was estimated to further go up.

RE-ELECTION IN TWO VOTING CENTERS

Voting was stalled at the Ratna Secondary School ‘ A” polling centre in Bafikot Rural Municipality-5 of western Rukum and the Rastriya Secondary School Gattasaina ‘ B’ polling centre of Aathbiskot Municipality-11 of the district as fire destroyed ballot boxes.

Of 4465 polling centers fixed and set up for the first round of elections, the re election is to take place only in two polling centers, according to the EC.

With the completion of voting, works to collect ballot boxes safely and take them to the district headquarters-based offices of Chief Election Officer and Election Officer have already begun. The ballot boxes will be under direct supervision, control and management of the Chief Election Officer or the Election Officer.

The Election Commission has stated that arrangements have been made to keep the ballot boxes at secure places in a credible manner with the consensus of the Chief Election Officer, the election officers, security bodies, political parties and the candidates.

Chief Election Commissioner Yadav said that vote counting would be started once the second phase of the House of Representatives and State Assembly elections are over on coming December 7.

The EC has appreciated and thanked all its employees and all the civil servants deputed on election duty for carrying out their responsibilities by putting in consistent efforts for the same.

Similarly, it has expressed its gratitude to all the political parties, candidates and the party cadres who it stated played paramount role in making the election successful by their cooperation, goodwill, friendly attitude, understanding and constructive participation.

The Election Commission has also urged the Government of Nepal, the political parties, candidates, voters, security bodies, friendly countries and all those concerned for their positive cooperation for making the second phase election also successful like the first phase election.