Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has clarified that the upcoming House of Representatives election will be held in a single phase across the country.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday after inspecting the progress of ballot paper printing at the Janak Education Materials Centre Ltd on Thursday, Karki said the election would be conducted across the country on March 5. “Once the elections are held on the scheduled date and results are announced, I will return home after fulfilling my responsibility,” she added.
Karki expressed confidence that weather conditions across the country would be favorable on March 5. “After observing the ballot printing process, I feel more encouraged. All preparations for the election have been completed,” Karki said. “The only thing remaining is for people to cast their votes.”
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal also said the election would be held at any cost on the scheduled date. “Preparations are progressing smoothly, and we have not encountered any security challenge,” he added.
Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said election preparations are moving ahead rapidly and that strict measures are being taken against violations of the election code of conduct. “We have found the government is serious about holding the election on time. The Election Commission (EC) is firmly committed to conducting it as scheduled,” he added.
According to the EC, ballots for the first-past-the-post system in 60 constituencies have already been printed.
