80.04 million ballot papers printed for HoR, PA polls

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 11

The Election Commission today said ballot papers had been sent to all constituencies for the November 20 elections to the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies.

A total of 165 constituencies will go to poll to elect as many members to the House of Representatives under the first-past-the-post system, whereas 330 constituencies will send as many members to seven provincial assemblies under the FPTP system.

The EC claimed the printing and transportation of ballot papers was completed as per the prescribed schedule.

According to a bulletin issued by the election panel, around 80.04 million ballot papers have been printed for the HoR and PA elections. Of them, 20 million ballot papers are for FPTP polls and 20.04 million for proportional representation polls for election to the HoR. Around 20 million ballot papers are for FPTP and 20.1 million for PR polls for the seven assemblies.

The EC had entrusted Janak Education Materials Ltd with the task of printing ballot papers.

The EC is going to use white background in ballot papers for the elections. Ballot papers to be used for proportional representation system will contain white background on which other details will be printed in black, while ballot papers to be used for the FPTP election will have white background over which election symbols and other details will be printed in red ink.

There are 503 kinds of ballot papers - 165 for FPTP constituencies, 330 for provincial FPTP constituencies, seven for candidates contesting under PR system for seven provinces, and one for federal PR candidates. The EC will make arrangements for providing four ballot papers - one for federal FPTP candidates, one for provincial FPTP candidates, one for provincial PR candidates, and one for federal PR candidates - at each polling centre.

Each polling centre will have four corresponding polling booths and four ballot boxes.

The EC will also make voting arrangements for employees and security personnel deputed on election duty, jail inmates, and voters of old-age homes.

The EC said it had already transported most of the election logistics to the constituencies. These logistics include ballot boxes, ballot papers, swastika seals, stationery, and other materials.

Over 17.9 million eligible voters are going to exercise their right to vote in the twin elections.

A version of this article appears in the print on November 12, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.