Stage all set for phase II elections in Valley

Kathmandu, December 6

Preparations for the second phase of provincial and parliamentary elections slated for tomorrow have been completed in Kathmandu Valley. Around 1,217 booths have been set up across the Valley for the polls.

Polling officer Janardan Bastola deployed at Adarsha Secondary School centre, Sanothimi, said all preparations had been completed. “We now expect the voting process to conclude in a peaceful manner,” he added.

Sub-inspector Lila Sharma Nepal, who has been deployed at a Thimi polling station, said, “We have made foolproof security arrangements. We are also covering areas within 500 metre radius of the polling station and we expect no untoward incident on the polling day.”

Similarly, Armed Police Force Sub-inspector Bhimsen KC, who has been deployed for poll security in Koteshwor area, said, “We are providing round-the-clock security in the area and we are confident that the elections tomorrow will take place in a peaceful manner,” he said.

Ananda Raj Panta, a polling officer at Ratna Rajya School in Old Baneshwor, said they expected 5,000 voters to turn up to cast their ballots at the centre. “Since all preparations have been completed, we expect no untoward incident,” he added.

Differently abled people, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the polling arrangements.

Ratna Sunuwar, a disabled polling staffer deployed at Naulo Jyoti Higher Secondary School centre in Kaushaltar, said the polling centre was not disabled-friendly.

He said the government should have made special arrangements for disabled voters. The elections will start at 7:00am and continue till 5:00pm.