KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 16
Ballot paper printing for the March 5 House of Representatives (HoR) election has entered its final phase, with distribution to districts set to begin from Tuesday.
According to the Janak Education Materials Centre Limited, only 500,000 ballot papers remain to be printed under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system. Managing Director Yadunath Poudel said the printing process would be completed by this evening. Out of a total 20,323,000 ballot papers required for the FPTP system, nearly all have already been printed. Similarly, 20,830,000 ballot papers for the proportional representation (PR) system have been completed.
The Centre began printing with a 42-day schedule but has finished the task in 40 days, according to officials. The ballot papers will be dispatched to all districts by tomorrow, marking a key logistical milestone ahead of the polls.
With 17 days remaining for the HoR election, political parties and candidates have also begun their formal publicity campaigns from today, in line with the election code of conduct issued by the Election Commission. The Commission has allowed rallies, mass meetings, corner assemblies and publication of campaign materials only within the stipulated campaign period, which runs until midnight on March 1.
The EC has urged all stakeholders to uphold electoral integrity and stated that monitoring mechanisms have been mobilised to enforce compliance. In case of violations, the Commission will seek clarification from concerned parties and may initiate legal action.
Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said the Commission has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards breaches of the code of conduct, emphasising the importance of a free and fair electoral environment.