Phidim, November 18

Fifty-two per cent of votes cast during mock election at the Panchthar district headquarters of Phidim were found invalid today.

The event was organised by District Election Office, Panchthar on the premises of Phidim Higher Secondary School, ahead of the first round of parliamentary and provincial elections due on November 26 in the district.

A total of 85 votes were cast. Of them, 11 votes were declared fully invalid, while 33 were partly invalid. Participants of the event included locals attending a weekly bazaar nearby.

“While some didn’t know that they had to vote on two different ballot papers, one for the parliament and the other for the provincial assembly, others used thumb impression. Yet some others stamped on up to six election symbols,” said District Election Officer of Panchthar Dhruva Kumar Rai.

Prior to the simulation poll, youths and students affiliated to different political parties had taken out a rally urging people and candidates to refrain from using alcohol and unduly influencing voters during the elections.

Result of mock polls brings to the surface ineffectiveness of vote education programme.