Voting for the House of Representatives elections took place peacefully across the country on Thursday. Although there were sporadic disputes in some places, there were no incidents that disrupted the voting process.

According to the preliminary details of the Election Commission, 58.07 percent of the voters participated in the election.

According to the preliminary details of the Election Commission, 19.77 thousand 711 people out of 18.9 million 3 thousand 689 voters voted. 58.62 percent of the votes were cast in Koshi Province, 58.39 percent in Madhesh, 60.93 percent in Bagmati, and 54.92 percent in Gandaki. Similarly, 59.91 percent of the votes were cast in Lumbini, 55.66 percent in Karnali, and 51.40 percent in Sudurpaschim.

The lowest voter turnout was 39.39 percent in Achham. 40.41 percent in Dhanusha, 40.88 percent in Doti, and 42.85 percent in Khotang. The highest voter turnout was 71.46 percent in Bhaktapur. Other districts with high voter turnout are Parsa (68.43 percent), Lalitpur (68.22 percent), Nawalparasi Susta Paschim (67.80 percent), Kathmandu (67.01 percent) and Dolpa (66.17 percent). Voters boycotted the election in 2 polling stations each in Darchula and Dang and 1 polling station each in Dolakha and Okhaldhunga.

Although the election was held peacefully this time, the turnout was lower than in previous elections. In 2048, 65.15 percent of the votes were cast, in 2051, 61.86 percent of the votes were cast, in 2056, 65.79 percent of the votes were cast. In 2064, 61.7 percent of the votes were cast, in 2070, 68.67 percent of the votes were cast, and in the 2079 elections, 61 percent of the votes were cast.

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said that there was no concrete reason for the low voter turnout this time. ‘This time, the election was held amidst confusion. "The voting may have decreased due to the uncomfortable situation," he said. Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal said that the percentage was lower this time because the voting was fair. "Earlier, booths were captured, votes were cast in the names of dead people and people living abroad," he said. "In some centers in Dolakha and Syangja, 98-99 percent of the votes were cast. Now we have completely stopped unwanted activities. It is reported that about 52 percent of the votes were cast in Syangja this time. This is the current reality, not the previous one."

Former Chief Election Commissioner Bhojraj Pokharel says that there could be three main reasons for the low voter turnout this time. "The voter turnout may have been reduced due to the uncertainty and fear of whether the election will be held or not, the significant lack of participation of Nepalis living abroad, and the lack of will of citizens to go to the polling stations," he says. "Other small factors may have also affected the voter turnout."

Former Chief Election Commissioner Pokharel says that the participation of voters should be taken as enthusiasm. "From the announcement of the election to the registration of candidacies, there was uncertainty about whether the election would be held on the scheduled date," he said. Stating that the election marked the victory of democracy, adult suffrage, and democracy, he said that now there is confidence that the constitution will be 'leaked'.

Former Chief Election Commissioner and election observer Surya Prasad Shrestha said that the low voter turnout was due to the inability of Nepalis living abroad to come, fear of insecurity, and lack of trust in democracy and the electoral system. "There was an atmosphere of fear among the people until a few days before the election. Initially, there were rumors that the election would not take place. The parties did not speak openly and the talk of restoring the parliament also came in the form of rumors. Voters were never confident about the election,' he said, 'The election was held in a situation where faith in democracy was weak. There was not much faith and enthusiasm for the election system.'

The civilian government led by Sushila Karki, formed on the foundation of the Gen-G movement, held the election this time. After the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned under pressure from the Gen-G movement, Karki was appointed Prime Minister on 27 Bhadra with a 'mandate' to hold elections for members of the House of Representatives within 6 months. On the same day of her appointment, President Ram Chandra Poudel dissolved the House of Representatives and announced the election.

Voting was held on Thursday to elect 165 members of the House of Representatives through the direct system and 110 through the proportional system. There are 3,406 candidates for the direct system and 3,135 candidates for the proportional system. 23,112 polling stations were designated in 10,967 polling stations. There were also 143 temporary polling stations.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki said that despite the challenges in holding the election, they worked as per their responsibilities and made it successful. ‘It is not that we were not attacked in various ways, it is not that there were no obstacles. But we were not discouraged. We believed that if we worked selflessly and with integrity, we would succeed,’ she said.

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal said that the voting was completed in a single phase across the country due to the directives of President Ram Chandra Poudel and the cooperation of all parties concerned under the leadership of Prime Minister Sushila Karki. He responded that an important achievement was achieved in implementing the constitution and institutionalizing the rights acquired by the Nepali people through the election.

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Bhandari responded that the voting was enthusiastic across the country on Thursday and thanked all stakeholders, including the government, political parties, who played a role in it. ‘Voters showed enthusiasm across the country. However, voters were found to have rejected it in some centers, but that is not related to the Election Commission,’ he said. ‘This is dissatisfaction with the promises of the parties.’

Bhandari said that the election campaign started on 27 Bhadra and reached Bhanjyang. He said that the Election Commission has been working since the very beginning, firmly believing that the election is possible and will be held, and the results are visible today. ‘This was not possible only because of the Election Commission. Everyone has the same support in this. The government has not made any cuts in financial and other matters from the beginning,’ he said. ‘There has been unparalleled support from political parties, public media, and voters.’