The Election Commission has accelerated the printing of ballot papers. More than 28 million ballot papers required for the proportional representation for the House of Representatives elections have been printed. In the direct election, 3 million ballot papers required for 25 districts have been printed, while ballot papers for other districts are also being printed in a hurry.

Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said that up to 1.5 million ballot papers are being printed daily. ‘20.83 million ballot papers were required for the proportional system, all of which have been printed,’ he said. ‘So far, 3 million ballot papers have been printed for the direct system from 25 districts, and others are also being printed.’

Assistant spokesperson Kul Bahadur GC said that fewer ballot papers will be printed for the direct system than for the proportional system. ‘Preparations are being made to print 20.3 million ballot papers for the direct system, and more ballot papers will be required as temporary voters will also be added to the proportional system,’ he said. ‘Soldiers deployed in security, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, Election Police, employees deployed in elections, dependents living in old age homes, and prisoners will also be able to vote in the proportional system, so there will be more voters.’

The printing of ballot papers for the proportional system began on 25 Poush and ended on 12 Magh. The printing of ballot papers began as soon as the number of parties participating in the electoral competition for the proportional system was finalized. 58 parties have election symbols in the upcoming elections. 54 parties are participating in the proportional representation with their own election symbols and 10 parties with 4 different election symbols. The proportional representation ballot papers are printed on white paper with black election symbols. The proportional representation ballot papers will be of the same size across the country.

The ballot papers for the Himalayan districts, all districts of Karnali Province, Sudurpaschim and some districts of Lumbini have been printed. The printing of the ballot papers for the direct election started from the Himalayan districts on 12th Magh.

The ballot papers are being printed at Janak Shiksha Samagi Kendra Limited in Sanothimi, Bhaktapur. The Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari had said that preparations are underway to complete the printing of the ballot papers for the direct election by 26th Magh. While monitoring the start of the printing of the ballot papers for the direct election, he informed that the ballot papers will be printed day and night. Commission spokesperson Bhattarai said on Sunday, ‘About 

Out of 20 million ballot papers, 3 million have been printed, now 17 million will be printed. 12 to 1.5 million ballot papers are being printed in a day.' In 165 constituencies, the direct ballot papers for each constituency are of different sizes according to the number of candidates. The direct candidates were given election symbols on 9 Magh.

Spokesperson Bhattarai said that the election programs and preparations, including printing of ballot papers, are being completed as per the schedule. He informed that the work of printing the voter list along with the ballot papers is also ongoing. He said that the voter list will be printed within the next 7 days. The commission has printed 1 million 98 thousand 200 sample ballot papers for voter education purposes. Sample ballot papers have been printed in equal numbers for proportional and direct.