EC preparing to publish FPTP results within 24 hours: Bhandari

KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has said preparations were underway for the first-past-the-post (FPTP) results within 24 hours.

Speaking at a press meet on the eve of the House of Representatives election in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said efforts would be made to swiftly collect ballot boxes after voting. “The existing provisions regarding ballot box security remain unchanged,” he added.

Stating that all preparations for the polls have been completed, Bhandari called on voters to participate in the election with enthusiasm.

Voting will be held in 165 constituencies across the country from 7 am to 5 pm on Thursday.

“The EC has been working in line with its constitutional duty to conduct a free, fair, transparent, and credible election. All election materials have been delivered to polling centres across the country,” Bhandari said. “Reliable security arrangements have been put in place to ensure voters can cast their ballots for candidates and political parties of their choice without obstruction.”

Bhandari said he was hopeful that visible public enthusiasm for the election is likely to increase voter turnout and reduce the percentage of invalid votes.

A total of 3,406 candidates are contesting under the FPTP system, while 3,135 candidates are competing under the proportional representation system.