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The Election Commission (EC) has arranged a ballot paper with a red election symbol on white background for the first-past-the-post (FPTP) election system to choose the House of Representatives and Province Assembly members in the upcoming elections. Likewise, the EC has arranged a ballot paper with white background and an election symbol in black color for the proportional representation (PR) election system to choose the HoR and provincial assembly members. Under the FPTP, there would be a ballot paper having election symbols of the candidates or political parties who are in the election race in each electoral constituency. Likewise, there would be a ballot paper with 47 election symbols for HoR under the PR election system. According to the EC, only 47 parties out of 68 applicants are eligible to participate in the HoR elections under the PR election system. As informed, there would be varying numbers of election symbols in ballot papers as per the province under the PR election system towards the province assembly election.

Election fever has upped in Baglung with the election to the House of Representatives and Province Assembly coming near. Leaders and cadres of the political parties are busy wooing the voters from rural to urban areas. However, the election fever has not yet touched the flood-landslides survivors of Dhorpatan. Since a week ago, the candidates have reached out to the doorsteps of the disaster survivors with several assurances. But, the flood and landslide victims are turning tough to the candidates and elections itself. They have made up their mind to vote to the candidates who can work in favour of poor and helpless section. They complained that the representatives whom they emerged victorious several times before did not perform anymore for the welfare of the helpless section. Kul Bahadur BK, a flood survivor, said, “Leaders come to ask for vote only during election. They try to woo the voters through different techniques. We voted and emerged winner several representatives but they did not show eagerness to resolve our problems. We would vote for those this time who understand our sufferings”. They have faced myriad of problems because of illiteracy and remoteness, he said, complaining that the leaders turning up to their homes during elections have remained reluctant to serve them once they elected. BK further said that they had made the candidates winner in previous elections even when flood had rendered the entire Bhujikhola residents homeless. But, the elected people’s representatives did not come to apply ointment to their wounds, he commented. Leelmaya BK, another victim, said she would not cast her vote this time. “She may change her mind if any candidate come up with reliable plan to address their issues”, she added. But, voters this time would not be cheated from the candidates and parties, she further said. “I have voted the candidates several times. But, my village did not get anything in return. The pain and suffering of the fellow people here remained unsolved. We would vote only those who serve the helpless poor people in our village”. Neem Prakash BK who lost her wife and three children in floods said they would vote to the parties and candidates who come to address their demands. He voiced his complaint that no leader has come to relieve their pain when it has been over two years since the devastating flood had swept away his property and all members of the family. The continuous floods and landslides that occurred in Bhujikhola two years ago had took the lives of 38 people. Only 23 dead bodies were recovered while 15 missing have not been found. Floods and landslides had caused damages to 131 houses and taken away 11 hydro power house and canal, one health service unit, 11 suspension bridges, five cemented bridge, 10 suspension bridges and twos schools.

Government Spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki has said the commitments made by the Nepali Congress-led government would be fulfilled. He said so while addressing a program organized by the left-democratic alliance at Koshi Rural Municipality-5 in Sunsari today.  The NC leader went on to say that the NC candidates were determined to live up to the promises they made before the people. Free medical care to children below three years of age and to people above 73 for all sorts of health issues, and old-age allowance above 65 are among those promises made by the NC to the people and they would be strongly implemented if it got a victory in the elections. He urged all voters to vote the alliance candidates during the voting for twin elections taking place on coming November 20 simultaneously. A joint office of the alliance was inaugurated on the occasion.

Election materials have been transported to the eight remote mountainous districts of Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces in view of the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives and Province Assembly. The election is taking place in a single phase throughout the country on November 20. The Election Commission has been transporting ballot boxes, ballot papers, the swastika seals, stationery and other logistic materials to the different districts for the elections. It is said the Commission is supplying 57 various articles to the districts regularly. In this connection, the election materials have been supplied to Manang and Mustang of Gandaki province, to Humla, Jumla, Mugu, Kalikot and Dolpa of Karnali province and to Bajura of Sudurpaschim province, Commission's spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel said. Apart from these districts, the Election Commission has already transported some election materials to 51 districts.