• Young voter turnout was higher than in CA election

Pokhara, May 14

Compared to the first Constituent Assembly election back in 2011, the turnout of young voters for the local polls in Pokhara today was encouraging. Most of them said they were very excited about selecting local representatives.

Local youth Rabi Adhikari was visibly excited at the prospect of voting for the first time in his life as he was about to enter the gate of Bagar Rastriya Higher Secondary School polling centre in Pokhara Metropolis today. “I’m very excited this time as I had abstained from voting during the second CA elections. This is my first time voting,” he said. Further, Adhikari informed the whole village and city was excited about the polls this time. “Earlier, we used to go to rallies, but hardly bothered to vote. This time, however, all my friends voted to choose our own representatives,” Adhikari added.

According to the youth, the encouraging turnout of young voters this time had to do with greater awareness among the public.

Another youth Sabin Lamichhane of Pokhara described the elections as a great achievement. “The fact that elections are happening after two decades is a great achievement,” said Lamichhane, adding, “No matter who wins, it is the victory of people who waited for this moment for so long. In fact, I didn’t feel that election would happen amidst so much political bickering and uncertainty,” he said.

Meanwhile, the polls in Province 4 concluded peacefully except for a few incidents. The voting process had halted briefly at Purneshwor Secondary School Pipaltari voting centre in Kushma Municipality over a dispute among rival parties’ cadres today. The process later resumed.