Election Commission Addresses Voter Queries via Call Center, Distributes Materials Ahead of Polls

Kathmandu. The Election Commission (EC) has addressed a total of 4,038 queries and questions received through its 'Call Center,' which has been operational since Magh 5, to address inquiries related to elections from general voters and stakeholders, up to Thursday, Falgun 14, via telephone and 'voice mail.'

Among the received queries, 1,958 were related to the voter list, 386 to the election code of conduct, 157 to voter education, and 1,111 were miscellaneous, informed EC Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai. According to him, 426 of the total queries were 'voice mails.'

The EC stated that the voter education program is currently underway from Falgun 3 to 17, deploying one voter education volunteer in each of the 6,743 wards across 753 local levels nationwide, according to the program approved by the commission, with the objective of informing the general public about the importance of the right to vote and the voting process.

The work of informing general voters about the importance of elections and the voting process through sample ballot papers is being carried out by the deployed voter education volunteers by reaching the settlements and doorsteps of the general voters. Spokesperson Bhattarai of the EC informed that the monitoring and facilitation work is also being carried out by designating election contact persons of the respective local levels as monitors to oversee the work accomplished by the voter education volunteers.

470 Materials Produced and Promoted by Electronic Voter Education Unit

With the objective of providing voter education through electronic means, the Voter Education Unit established under the Election Information Dissemination and Coordination Center has so far produced 470 materials, got them approved, and posted them on the EC's official Facebook page, X, TikTok, and YouTube.

The EC believes that such awareness materials targeting voters, political parties, candidates, and stakeholders will help increase the fairness of the election, ensure citizens receive authentic and reliable information, and minimize the impact of false or misleading information. Spokesperson Bhattarai of the EC stated that the commission expects such materials to promote the voter education program through digital platforms and ensure general voters receive official information.

The EC is publishing and broadcasting interactive video messages, song messages, short videos, and jingles produced by the commission to promote the voter education program. Such materials are being broadcast on the EC's official digital platforms.

The EC expects that the awareness materials aimed at motivating voters to participate in the election, increasing election fairness, and encouraging adherence to the election code of conduct will play a role in increasing the voting percentage and reducing the percentage of invalid votes.

Diplomatic Missions Briefed on Election Preparations

The EC has briefed the heads and representatives of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu regarding the preparations and observation arrangements for the upcoming House of Representatives elections. During this interaction, the heads and representatives of the diplomatic missions expressed satisfaction over the finalization of election preparations in a short time and raised queries on various aspects of the preparations, including observation permits.

The EC has granted observation permits to 43 organizations, comprising 39 national and four international organizations, for the House of Representatives Election, 2082. It was informed at a press conference that orientation has been completed for the representatives of the permitted organizations, and identity cards have been issued for approximately 4,500 observers.

Ballot Papers and Election Materials Reached All Constituencies

The Election Commission has stated that ballot papers and necessary election materials for the House of Representatives elections have been delivered to all districts in all seven provinces. The materials sent by the EC are those other than the ballot papers and materials purchased by the provincial and district offices.

A total of 1,098,200 sample ballot papers were printed for the upcoming election. The printing of 20,830,000 ballot papers for the proportional representation system has been completed. For the first-past-the-post electoral system, 20,323,000 ballot papers were printed.

143 Temporary Polling Centers Designated

A total of 186,740 temporary voters have been registered for the upcoming election. The EC has stated that a total of 143 temporary polling centers have been designated across the country for temporary voters to cast their ballots.

A center has been established and is operational under the leadership of the EC Secretary for overall coordination and management related to the election. The center includes representation from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal, the National Investigation Department, and first-class officers from the EC.

A team from the Nepal Police, equipped with communication devices, is also active at the center. The center is carrying out tasks such as security coordination for the transportation of ballot papers and election materials, collection and analysis of election security-related activities, collection of details from districts regarding polling centers requiring helicopter support, integration of such details, and their deployment.