Kathmandu District Election Officer Thakur Prasad Bhattarai says, ”We have been continuously coordinating closely with polling stations, voters, and political parties to ensure that the election is conducted in a safe and dignified manner.”
What you should know
There are 320 polling stations and 817 polling stations in 10 constituencies in Kathmandu. Kathmandu, which has the largest number of constituencies in the country, has more than 710,000 voters. Similarly, 350 candidates are in the election competition. As the voting date approaches, Kantipur journalist Bivek Pokhrel spoke to District Election Officer Thakur Prasad Bhattarai about election preparations, voter education, code of conduct and security management:
How are the election preparations in Kathmandu district?
As the voting date approaches, we are carrying out various tasks in parallel. The details of the employees deployed at the polling stations have been collected through the District Human Resource Management Committee and sent to the office of the Election Officer. There is an arrangement for the Election Officers to reach the polling stations with the necessary materials three days before the voting. Before that, election-targeted training is being prepared for the Polling Officers and Assistant Polling Officers.
Under the proportional voting system, a recommendation has been sent to the Election Commission regarding the establishment of temporary polling stations at two prisons in Kathmandu, security agencies and Singha Durbar for employees at the same places. The work of managing election materials is ongoing. The process of opening bank accounts of candidates and submitting manifestos is also ongoing. In addition, we have also continued monitoring the code of conduct. We have prioritized voter education as our main task.
What campaigns have been launched for voter education?
Voter education has been given special priority this time. As per the Election Commission's guidelines, volunteers have been deployed in each ward, who are providing voter education door-to-door. Our goal is to increase the voting percentage and reduce invalid votes. We are confident that the voter education received here by voters living in Kathmandu will be useful when they go to their own districts.
What is the status of compliance with the election code of conduct in Kathmandu?
The situation of compliance with the code of conduct this time seems satisfactory compared to previous elections. It is a positive aspect that political parties and candidates appear more responsible and restrained. A detailed study and monitoring of the applications and complaints received is being continuously done. So far, no significant or serious complaints have been received. The Election Commission has been monitoring the code of conduct related to social media from the central level. We have also been requesting everyone to follow the code of conduct.
How sensitive are the polling stations in Kathmandu in terms of security?
The District Security Committee led by the Chief District Officer has been coordinating the security management. We are confident that the elections will be held in a peaceful environment as the voters of Kathmandu are aware and disciplined. Overall, Kathmandu is not considered a sensitive district.
This election is being held due to the Gen-G movement that started in Kathmandu. In such a situation, can we say that Kathmandu is not sensitive?
The Chief District Officer can give a detailed and clear answer to this issue better. As a member of the District Security Committee, I myself have been here since the past elections. I have experience that those elections were conducted peacefully and orderly. Based on that experience, necessary security arrangements have been made. We have been continuously coordinating closely with the polling stations, voters and political parties to conduct the elections safely and in a dignified manner.
What has been done to make the polling stations disability-friendly?
Elections are a matter of everyone's participation. Therefore, arrangements have been made to make the polling stations easy and accessible for people with disabilities, senior citizens, women, pregnant women and other disabled voters. Efforts are being made to make the polling stations inclusive. The current structure will be further equipped with necessary improvements so that no voter feels uncomfortable while voting.
Finally, what message would you like to give to the voters and stakeholders?
We are in an election under special circumstances. Elections are an important exercise in democracy. The employees are working with high morale. It is expected that the candidates and political parties will fully comply with the code of conduct. I also urge the voters to participate in the vote with confidence and go home without unnecessary crowds after voting. Let us all work for a peaceful election. Let us all help from our place. This is also a historic occasion.
