Kathmandu, November 27

Silence period for the by-elections scheduled for Saturday will begin this mid-night. The Election Commission has completed all preparations for the by-elections.

EC issued a press release saying poll staffers had reached all polling centres and polling stations by this evening. There are 247 polling stations and 527 polling centres in  37 districts where by-elections will be held  on November 30 for 52 vacant posts of people’s representatives — one member of the House of Representatives, three provincial assembly members and 48 chiefs, deputy chiefs and ward chairs of local levels.  The EC said security agencies had been implementing integrated security policy to help the EC hold elections peacefully.

A total of 454,114, including 233,402 women and  220,710 men and others are eligible to vote in these by-elections. There are 71,871 voters in the House of Representatives constituency of Kaski-2. There are 45,015; 35,184; and 68,719 voters in the respective Provincial Assembly constituencies of Bhaktapur, Baglung and Dang. There are 233,325 voters for local level by-elections.  A total of 333 candidates, including 84 independent candidates are in the fray. According to the EC, 5,364 government employees are being deployed for poll duty. The EC said that the home ministry had adequately managed security for the by-polls.

EC Spokesperson Raj Kumar Shrestha said arrangements were being made to ensure that the counting of votes could be completed within two days from the date of vote casting.

The districts where by-elections will be held are Panchthar, Bhojpur, Sunsari, Morang, Sankhuwasabha, Khotang, Saptari, Siraha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchowk, Kavre, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Lamjung, Kaski, Baglung, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), Gulmi, Kapilvastu, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Rolpa, Dang, Banke, Salyan, Humla, Bajura, Achham, Doti, Kanchanpur and Baitadi.