Preparations Intensify in Makwanpur for Upcoming House of Representatives Election on Falgun 21

Hetauda. Preparations are being expedited in Makwanpur targeting the House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21. Hari Prasad Dhakal, the Provincial Election Officer, informed that ballot boxes used in previous elections will be brought back into use. According to him, the process of cleaning, repairing, and technically testing the ballot boxes has reached its final stage.

At the Provincial Election Office premises, employees are busy washing and drying old ballot boxes, repairing necessary parts, and testing locks and seals, stated Election Officer Dhakal. Dhakal mentioned that priority is being given to reusable materials to maximize the utilization of resources and manage expenses. "Thrifty use of government resources is our responsibility," he said, "Reusing technically sound ballot boxes not only reduces costs but also sends a positive message environmentally."

Management of Fifty-Two Types of Materials

According to the Election Office, at least 52 types of materials are required for one polling center. These materials are being packaged separately for each center and prepared in a listed format. Two ballot boxes, one with a capacity of 43 liters for the first-past-the-post system and one with 85 liters for the proportional representation system, will be sent to each polling center, and three boxes, including one spare, have been arranged.

In addition, materials such as ballot papers, voter lists, seals, stamp pads, registers, forms, privacy screens, security seals, tags, ink, stickers, polling booth signboards, and instruction manuals are progressively being readied, the office stated. To ensure no material shortage on the day of voting, arrangements have been made for cross-checking the required materials for each center.

Strict Enforcement of Code of Conduct

Provincial Election Officer Dhakal informed that the election code of conduct is being fully implemented, and no serious complaints have been received so far. He stated that close monitoring is being maintained over political parties' and candidates' campaigning, public rallies and processions, social media usage, expense reports, and other activities as the election approaches.

"The mechanism to immediately investigate and issue necessary directives or take action upon receiving information regarding code of conduct violations is active," Dhakal said, "The Commission is fully committed to conducting a fair, clean, and dignified election." The Provincial Election Office has stated that monitoring activities are underway through daily coordination meetings with all local levels, election focal persons, administration, and security agencies in the district.

Deployment of Over Three Thousand Employees

A total of 3,366 personnel, including volunteers, will be deployed across 374 polling centers under 176 polling stations in Makwanpur. Provincial Election Officer Dhakal informed that 2,024 employees and 1,122 volunteers will be assigned throughout the election period.

Each polling center will have six employees dispatched by the Commission, including one Election Officer and one Assistant Election Officer. Three volunteers will be deployed at the polling station. The process of human resource management has reached its final stage, and the assigned staff are undergoing necessary training and orientation programs, he added.

Over Four Thousand Security Personnel

Preparations are underway to deploy approximately 4,200 security personnel to ensure the election is conducted in a peaceful, safe, and fear-free environment. According to Chief District Officer Basanta Adhikari, this includes the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police (Law and Order), and about 2,200 election police.

Police Superintendent Shyam Bahadur Khatri, Chief of the District Police Office, informed that the exact number of Law and Order police will be finalized in a few days. Security agencies have stated that they will conduct special surveillance in sensitive areas, regular patrols, and monitor campaigning activities.

Classification of Polling Stations

Out of a total of 167 polling stations in the district, 19 have been classified as highly sensitive, 60 as sensitive, and 88 as normal. Twenty-six polling centers fall under the highly sensitive category. Five polling stations in Bakaiya Rural Municipality are highly sensitive, and some stations in Raksirang, Bagmati, Bhimphedi, Manahari, and Kailash Rural Municipalities are also included in this list.

The joint monitoring team has already evaluated the physical condition of the polling stations, access roads, communication links, polling booth management, and security sensitivity. The Chief District Officer mentioned that one polling station in Bhimphedi requires the use of a foot trail as there is no road access.

Over Three Hundred Thousand Voters

Makwanpur, which has two constituencies, has a total of 315,334 voters. Awareness programs are being conducted through local levels and stakeholders to make voter education effective. Election Officer Dhakal urged voters to participate in the voting process confidently and enthusiastically. "Active participation of voters is essential for the strengthening of democracy; the election can only be successful with the cooperation of all stakeholders," he said.

The Commission has stated that all preparations for conducting the election in a fair, impartial, and reliable environment have reached the final stage. As the election date approaches, administrative, technical, and security preparations are rapidly advancing in Makwanpur.