Election Monitoring Committee Reports Voter Enthusiasm Ahead of Federal Parliament Vote

Kathmandu. The General Election Observation Committee (GEOC) has released a report indicating that voters are enthusiastic about the Federal Parliament election scheduled for tomorrow, Falgun 21.

Based on on-site observation of the pre-election preparations and information received via the call center, the organization concluded that the overall pre-election environment is peaceful and administratively well-organized.

GEOC studied the voting preparations, participation, cooperation, coordination of political parties, election challenges, the Election Commission's readiness, and the security situation.

GEOC Secretary-General Krishna Man Pradhan informed that the report was prepared based on interactions and discussions with political parties, voters, candidates, civil society, the press, Chief District Officers, and District Election Officers.

The report stated, "The on-site observation report by the national observers indicates that the foundation has been laid for the election to be conducted in an overall peaceful, fair, free, and fearless environment."

Professor Chiranjivi Khanal, deployed by GEOC for national observation of the election, shared that election preparations are moving forward rapidly, staff have reached the polling stations, polling centers are being constructed, and security agencies have been deployed responsibly and sensitively to their posts.

He said, "While in the past, political parties and candidates used to influence voters through large public rallies and processions, this time they were found meeting voters door-to-door in villages and neighborhoods. Political parties appear committed, and voters are enthusiastic about the election."

Haribinod Adhikari, press and freedom of expression activist and a national observer for GEOC, reported that the environment for the election is peaceful and that teams, including necessary resources and staff for the polling centers, are reaching the polling stations.

He stated, "Voters, candidates, representatives of political parties, and even the Chief District Officer are confident that the election will be peaceful. Current study and analysis show that an environment for a fair, free, and fearless election has been created."

Other national observers, Ganesh Man Pradhan and Dr. Minen Shrestha, reported that since most polling centers are located in schools and ward office buildings, the overall setup appears voter-friendly. GEOC deployed national observers across all seven provinces to gather information on the pre-election situation.

The report stated, "The implementation of the integrated security plan in the districts, and the administrative and security preparations for the election are satisfactory. Although competition among parties is intense, the overall environment is peaceful."

The report mentions that the deployment of voting materials and staff at election centers across the country was completed according to plan. Previously, door-to-door visits by candidates and election campaigning were also completed peacefully.

GEOC has deployed 400 election observers in 250 local levels across 36 districts of the country.