Mustang District Finalizes Preparations for Upcoming House of Representatives Election Amidst Weather Concerns

Pokhara. The high-altitude district of Mustang is fully prepared for the House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21. The District Election Office, Mustang, stated that the management of election staff, security planning, and material transportation are in the final stages. A total of 40 polling stations have been designated across the district, comprising 39 permanent centers and one temporary center. The temporary polling station will be located at the district jail.

Prisoners, staff, and security personnel will cast their votes at the temporary polling station. Approximately 237 civil service employees will be deployed to conduct the election, and 2 to 3 volunteers will be mobilized at each center based on the number of voters, informed Chief Lokendra Gyawali. He noted that while preparations are complete, weather and geographical remoteness could pose challenges.

The District Security Committee has placed nine polling stations on the sensitive list based on geography, weather, and other activities. Gyawali mentioned that the route to the Sanga polling station in Ward No. 5 of Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality is currently blocked by snow, making monitoring visits impossible. This center has 39 voters. 'Currently, only shepherds are there. The path is blocked by snow,' he said, adding, 'We are trying to clear the road. Other than that, there are no major issues elsewhere.' He added that if the weather deteriorates further, immediate decisions will be made in coordination with the Election Commission.

Due to the weather, many residents of Mustang have moved to cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu to escape the cold. While voter turnout was around 70% in the 2079 election, it is estimated that achieving the same turnout will be difficult in the cold weather of Falgun, as many voters are currently outside the district. Consequently, the Election Commission is also conducting voter education programs in Pokhara. Within the district, political parties' election activities have not yet intensified.

According to the District Election Office, eight candidates representing eight political parties are contesting the election in Mustang this time. Chief Gyawali stated that there are 11,328 registered voters in the district. In the 2079 election, the total number of voters in Mustang was 10,484.