Election Commission Operates Call Center Addressing Public Inquiries Ahead of By-Elections

Kathmandu. The Election Commission has established a 'Call Center' targeting the House of Representatives by-election scheduled for Falgun 21 and has been providing services to the general public since Magh 5.

Through the Call Center set up at the Central Office in Kantipath, the Commission has been responding to queries from the general public and stakeholders regarding the elections, according to the Election Commission's spokesperson, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai.

According to Bhattarai, the Commission is providing services through six desks at the Call Center. Voters, citizens, and stakeholders can call the toll-free number 1102 to ask questions, which are then answered by Commission staff, the Election Commission stated.

“Up to 15 people can call at the same time. If you call, the calls will not be kept on hold,” said spokesperson Bhattarai. “This service will continue until the period for distributing certificates to the elected candidates after the completion of voting.”

Many who call the Call Center to inquire often ask what percentage of votes must be cast for the Commission to declare the Falgun 21 House of Representatives election official.

The answer provided is that the Commission desires maximum possible voting and participation from all voters. “One of the questions asked at the Call Center is what percentage of votes results in the election being official or recognized,” said Commission spokesperson Bhattarai. “Generally, common questions are asked more frequently.”

Furthermore, the Commission clarifies that existing laws do not mandate a minimum percentage of votes cast; the counting process proceeds regardless of the turnout percentage. “Since the existing election law does not set a minimum threshold for votes to be cast, voting is considered valid for whatever percentage of votes are cast, and the counting process moves forward,” said Commission spokesperson Bhattarai, quoting the response provided to the public via the Call Center.

Another frequent question at the Call Center concerns the inclusion of deceased individuals' names in the voter rolls and the potential for misuse, asking what the Commission is doing about it.

In response, the Commission states that names of individuals whose deaths have been registered with the respective local levels have been removed from the voter list, but names of those who have died but whose deaths have not yet been registered might still remain. To resolve such issues, the Commission has sent color voter lists with photographs to polling stations. Arrangement has been made so that representatives of candidates and staff deployed there will only allow voting after verifying the photo on the list with the original certificate and the face of the person coming to vote.

The Commission argues that since voting is permitted only after such verification, the possibility of misuse, even in such cases, is unlikely.

A significant number of questions at the Call Center relate to the provision for voting across different constituencies. “Questions arise about whether one can vote from another constituency. In response to such questions, we inform them that voting is permitted only from the designated polling center in the ward of the local level where their name is listed in the voter roll. They cannot vote from another constituency,” spokesperson Bhattarai told Ratopati.

Additionally, there are inquiries about candidates who have filed for candidacy despite having criminal charges and serving prison terms, asking what the Commission does in such situations.

On this matter, the Commission suggests filing a complaint/grievance immediately with the relevant Election Officer's office. “The Election Officer's office will investigate, and if the individual is found ineligible under the law, their candidacy will be rejected,” is the Commission's response regarding the candidacy of individuals with criminal records and those who have served time.

Another frequently asked question at the Call Center is whether the day of the election will be a public holiday. “A decision has not been made on this matter. Please keep checking the official announcements from the Election Commission,” the Commission responds.

Questions also frequently reach the Commission regarding who qualifies as a temporary voter. In response, the Commission states: “Nepali Army personnel, Nepal Police or Armed Police Force personnel in barracks, detainees and convicts in prisons, staff and security personnel deployed for election work, and individuals residing in old-age homes registered as per law are considered temporary voters.”

Other questions frequently asked at the Call Center include whether the code of conduct prevents an organization from holding its regular general assembly, where and how to obtain the voter list, whether a previously scheduled consumer committee election can proceed, and if Braille script is provided on the ballot papers.

The question of whether recruitment and appointment of staff on contract service are permissible, even when an advertisement notice has been published for emergency or essential services at a hospital, is also among those posed to the Commission.

In response, the Commission states that even though hospitals provide essential services, recruitment and appointment of staff on contract service are generally not allowed while the election code of conduct is in effect. However, the Commission has indicated that such appointments may be permitted with the consent of the Election Commission through the relevant line ministry in situations of epidemic or uncontrollable circumstances.

The question of whether vehicles will be allowed to operate on election day is also frequently asked at the Call Center. The Commission responds that vehicles, other than those granted special permission, will not be allowed to operate on the polling day. Another frequently asked question at the Commission's Call Center is, “Will the Public Service Commission exam be postponed or not?”

The Commission responds that the election code of conduct does not prohibit the operation of examinations conducted by the Public Service Commission, so exams scheduled according to the annual calendar will proceed normally despite the elections. “Exams scheduled on or around the polling day might not be conducted due to staff needing to be deployed for election duties, vehicle restrictions, and difficulties for examinees,” the Commission states. It also advises checking the specific notices issued by the relevant Public Service Commission regarding this matter.