Voting concludes, low voter turnout expected

KATHMANDU: Voting has concluded in the election for the House of Representatives and province assemblies.

According to the Election Commission (EC), voting concluded at all polling stations across the country. People already in the queue by 5 pm, however, will be allowed to vote.

Despite some sporadic incidents, voting was largely peaceful. But officials expect a comparatively low turnout.

DIG Tek Prasad Rai, the spokesperson for Nepal Police, said the election was largely peaceful. According to Rai, attempts to disrupt voting process were made in 11 districts. “Police fired 102 rounds in the air in these districts to take the situation under control,” Rai added.

Police fired in the air in Dolakha, Kanchnapur, Rautahat, Siraha, Chitwan, Doti, Humla, Darchula, Bajhang, Taplejung and Syangja districts. Voting was briefly disrupted in 75 polling centers. But it resumed in 60 centers, according to police.

Altogether 17.98 million people were eligible to vote. According to the EC, a total of 10,859 candidates – 7,655 male, 3,203 female, and one third-gender – are contesting. Of them, 2,492 are contesting the election for the House of Representatives under FPTP voting, while another 2,199 are in the fray under PR voting. A total of 275 seats – 165 FPTP and 110 PR – are up for grabs in the election for the House of Representatives. Similarly, there are altogether 550 seats – 330 FPTP and 220 PR – in seven province assemblies.