Voter Boycotts Halt Voting at Several Polling Stations During House of Representatives Election

Kathmandu. During the House of Representatives election, voters boycotted elections en masse at several polling stations across various districts of the country. Voting activities have stalled at these centers after locals in certain polling stations in Darchula, Dang, and Okhaldhunga refrained from participating in the voting process, citing unaddressed demands.

Not a single voter has shown up for voting since early morning at two polling centers in Darchula district. According to Chief Election Officer of Darchula, Bhuwan Giri, voters have not arrived at the Gaurishankar Secondary School in Nagu, Ward-1 of Naulgad Rural Municipality, and the Jhuksu polling center in Dudhila, Ward-3 of Api Himal Rural Municipality.

Chief Election Officer Giri informed that although the election team had completed all preparations and maintained tight security at the Gaurishankar Secondary School center with 602 voters and the Jhuksu center with 346 voters, no one had shown up by 10 a.m.

Although it was heard that locals were protesting with 'No Vote,' the exact reason for their non-participation in the voting has not yet been revealed. Chief Election Officer Giri stated that election staff are waiting at the polling centers, hoping that voters will arrive by the evening.

Similarly, voters completely boycotted elections at two polling centers in Dang's Babai Rural Municipality. Voters at the Janata Secondary School in Ward No. 1 and the Deuti Secondary School Lower Malai center in Ward No. 7 Malai of Babai Rural Municipality did not participate in the voting, demanding that their settlement be relocated, a plea they claim the state and concerned bodies have ignored.

Having previously announced they would not vote if the settlement relocation was not carried out, they have not been seen at the centers since voting began on Thursday. Despite security personnel and staff being ready since 7 a.m., not a single vote has been cast at these centers due to the locals' firm stance.

Locals have also collectively boycotted voting at the Toksel polling center in Ward-7 of Maneybhanjyang Rural Municipality in Okhaldhunga. In protest of the Provincial Government not starting work on the provincial hospital promised for the area, none of the 701 registered voters at that center went to cast their ballots.

Chief Election Officer Hari Prasad Koirala informed that upon reaching the center, he found no voters, and the locals were in a 'No Vote' situation. Gyanendra Rumdali, the Chairman of the Rural Municipality, stated that local anger has increased due to the non-commencement of hospital construction.

According to Chief Election Officer Koirala, the Election Commission has been informed about this situation, and preparations are underway to collect only the proportional representation votes and prepare the minutes if voters do not show up by the evening.