Rupandehi Finalizes Preparations for House of Representatives Election on Falgun 21

Rupandehi. Preparations for the House of Representatives election scheduled for this Falgun 21 in Rupandehi have been completed. The District Election Office, Office of the Chief Returning Officer, District Administration Office, and the four security agencies stationed in the district have finalized their respective responsibilities.

Chief Returning Officer Ashok Kumar Basnet informed that the staff assigned to the election have already received their appointment letters from the Election Officer's office and will start collecting election materials today to proceed to their respective polling centers.

He stated that arrangements have been made for the staff, along with materials, to reach the centers today, as there is convenient transportation access to the polling centers in the district's constituencies. "Except for minor pending tasks, all election preparations are complete," he said. "The security and overall management for the election have been good so far."

Political parties and candidates have also brought their election-focused campaigning programs to the final stage. Since the silence period will come into effect from 12:00 AM on Falgun 18, three days before the voting day, political parties and independent candidates are currently active in meeting voters at their doorsteps, presenting their agendas, and seeking votes. So far, electoral activities in the district have been proceeding peacefully.

The administration reported that no instances of passion, excitement, or violation of the code of conduct among the parties have been observed. It was stated that the code of conduct has been fully adhered to, apart from minor verbal complaints. Chief Returning Officer Basnet mentioned, "Adherence to the code of conduct has been maintained at about 70 percent in almost all constituencies of the district."

A three-tier security arrangement has been put in place to ensure peaceful elections. A three-layer security cordon involving the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force will be mobilized for election security. District Police Chief Superintendent Janak Bahadur Shahi informed that the situation at the polling centers across all five constituencies in the district is normal in terms of security.

According to the Provincial Election Office statistics, Rupandehi has the highest number of voters among the 12 districts of Lumbini. A total of 672,523 voters are registered in Rupandehi, comprising 346,203 male voters and 326,311 female voters.

Rupandehi has five constituencies for the House of Representatives. Constituency No. 1 in Rupandehi has 146,824 voters, Constituency No. 2 has 135,050, Constituency No. 3 has 140,035, Constituency No. 4 has 116,172, and Constituency No. 5 has 134,442 voters. Rupandehi has 209 polling stations and 732 polling centers. The Election Commission has arranged for voters who turn 18 by Falgun 20 to be eligible to vote in the House of Representatives election on Falgun 21.

Border Crossings to be Closed for Three Days

Nepal-India border crossings in Rupandehi will be closed for three days targeting the election. The Rupandehi District Administration Office issued a notice stating that all border crossings connected to India will be closed for three days to ensure the election is conducted in a free, fair, and fearless environment.

The notice issued by Assistant Chief District Officer and Information Officer Meghnath Padhya stated that the closure will be effective from 12:00 AM on Monday, Falgun 18, until 12:00 AM on Thursday, Falgun 21.

Furthermore, the notice stated that from 12:00 AM on Wednesday, Falgun 20, until the completion of voting on Thursday, Falgun 21, the operation of all vehicles, except for essential services such as ambulances, milk tankers, fire engines, telecommunication services, hearses, hospital services, and electricity services, as well as permitted vehicles, will be prohibited.

The administration also issued a notice stating that the sale and consumption of alcohol throughout the district are prohibited until the final results of the election are announced, to ensure the election is conducted in a free, fair, fearless, and reliable environment.

Appeal to Celebrate Holi with Decorum

The Rupandehi District Administration Office has appealed for the Holi/Fagu festival to be celebrated in a disciplined and dignified manner. The administration requested that since the Holi/Fagu festival falls during the campaign period and silence period of the upcoming House of Representatives election, the festival should be celebrated keeping in mind the security sensitivity of the election and adherence to the election code of conduct to maintain mutual harmony, peace, and a cordial atmosphere.

All stakeholders, including the District Security Committee, all political parties, candidates, party representatives, religious organizations, citizens, and concerned parties, have been urged to celebrate the Holi/Fagu festival in a dignified, civilized, and disciplined manner from a religious and cultural perspective, while also ensuring the security of the election and compliance with the election code of conduct.

It was announced that strict action will be taken according to prevailing laws if anyone is found engaging in illegal activities while celebrating the Holi festival. Chief Returning Officer Basnet stated that security agencies have been requested to arrange for the Holi festival this year to be celebrated normally at home, without any kind of musical programs.

Six Thousand Personnel Mobilized

Chief Returning Officer Ashok Kumar Basnet informed that staff personnel have been deployed to 4,392 permanent and 4 temporary polling centers across the five constituencies of the district. He stated that over six thousand personnel, including 4,416 employees and nearly 1,600 volunteers, have been mobilized in the district for this purpose.

Voter education has been made effective in the district to reduce the number of invalid votes. Election office staff are visiting the doorsteps of the elderly and voters with limited access to education, carrying sample ballot papers, to teach them how to fold the ballot paper and cast their vote. A total of 155 candidates, including 63 from political parties and 92 independents, are currently in the electoral field in the five constituencies of Rupandehi.