KATHMANDU, Dec 3: With the completion of all logistical and administrative preparations, poll officers are heading toward their assigned election constituencies to conduct the parliamentary and provincial assembly elections scheduled for December 7.
Logistical materials required for the second phase elections have already been dispatched to the district headquarters and the training of returning officers is over. "Polling officers, mainly those deployed in rural areas, have already left to set up the polling centers and the remaining officials, who are assigned to nearby areas, will be moving out by tomorrow," said Election Commissioner Narendra Dahal.
Country 'all prepared' for local elections after 20 years
After conducting successful first phase parliamentary and provincial elections in 32 districts, the EC is now into the second round polls in the remaining 45 districts. Voter ID cards for recently enrolled voters, ballot papers, poll screenings and other logistical materials have already been dispatched to their destinations, according to election officials.
The election commissioners say they are now in the process of observing the poll preparations in the districts. Election Commissioner Narendra Dahal is visiting the districts of the eastern region. Commissioners Ila Sharma and Sudhir Kumar Shah have returned to Kathmandu after observing the security situation in the southern regions.
"Everything is going well in the Tarai districts and the security agencies are hard at work," said Commissioner Sharma.
During their field visits, some in Madhes were found displaying videos of the Madhes protests in the evening to attract the voters. Madhes-based parties, according to the commissioners, come out into the streets and display the videos captured during the Madhes protests. "This might cause confrontations among the poll contestants. We have asked the police administration to strictly prevent parties from carrying out their campaigns after 7 p.m.," said Sharma.
