Mustang District Establishes 39 Polling Centers for Upcoming House of Representatives Election Amid Snowfall Concerns

Mustang. A total of 39 polling centers have been established in Mustang for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21. All polling centers and stations across the five local levels in the district are considered normal from a security perspective.

Although security challenges at all polling centers and stations in Mustang for the election are generally low, it is anticipated that snowfall could affect the voting process. Preparations are underway for the contingency of heavy snowfall, which could make it difficult for voters to reach their destinations to cast their ballots.

The Mustang-Dolpa road leading to the Sanga polling center in Waragung Muktikshetra-5, Mustang, has been blocked for traffic for a month due to thick snow accumulation. Past experiences show that snowfall occurs in Mustang during the months of Falgun/Chaitra. Chief District Officer (CDO) Ajita Sharma stated that snowfall could create problems for voters, election staff, and security personnel.

According to the election schedule, CDO Sharma mentioned plans to mobilize a bulldozer to clear the snow and make the road accessible a few days before the voting day for the Sanga polling center. This time, upon the recommendation of the District Election Office, the Samjung polling station in Lomanthang Rural Municipality-2 has been merged with the Divyadeep Secondary School in Chhoser, in the same ward. Additionally, one more polling station has been added for the convenience of voters in Lhogekar Damodarkunda-Tangya. Currently, 8 polling centers/stations have been established in Thasang Rural Municipality, 6 in Gharphajong Rural Municipality, 10 in Lhogekar Damodarkunda, 9 in Waragung Muktikshetra, and 6 in Lomanthang Rural Municipality.

According to Mustang CDO Sharma, all polling centers in Mustang have access to roads, electricity, telephone, and internet facilities. Mustang has a total of 101,328 voters. District Election Officer Lokendra Gyawali informed that this includes 5,559 male voters, 5,768 female voters, and one other voter.

Gharphajong in Mustang has 2,492 voters, Thasang has 2,908, Lhogekar Damodarkunda has 1,542, Waragung Muktikshetra has 2,376, and Lomanthang Rural Municipality has 2,011 voters. For election security, 266 personnel from Nepal Police and 46 personnel from Armed Police Force Nepal have been selected for election duty, and orientation training commenced on Sunday.

Nepali Congress, UML, CPN, Rastriya Swatantra Party, Ujyalo Nepal, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Mongol National Organization, and Aam Janata Party have registered their candidacies for the election.