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More than 15 million ballot papers have been printed so far for the first-past-the-post (FPTP) category of the House of Representatives (HoR) elections scheduled for March 5. 

The printed ballot papers are for 175 electoral constituencies of 53 districts, according to the Election Commission. 

The EC said that the printed ballots papers are for Dolpa, Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Humla, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Rukum West, Salyan, Surkhet, Bajura, Achham, Bajhang, Doti, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Baitadi, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, Sunsari, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Khotang, Dhankuta, Baglung, Gulmi, Jhapa, Gorakha, Myagdi, Parbat, Bardghat Susta East (Nawalparasi), Morang, Udaypur, Mustang, Lamjung, Syangja and  Bardiya among others. 

These ballot papers have already been packed and packed boxes number 13,321.  The printing has been continuous since the morning of January 30.

Currently, 1,000 boxes of ballot papers are being packed daily, while printing ranges between 1.3 million and 1.5 million ballot papers per day.

It is said that the EC requires printing over 20 million (total 20,323,000) ballot papers for the HoR direct election. 

The printing of ballot papers has been underway at the Janak Education Materials Centre, Sanothimi since January 6. In the first phase, over a million (total 1,098,200) sample ballot papers were printed and distributed to various districts.

Meanwhile, under the proportional representation of the electoral system, over 20 million (total 20,830,000) ballot papers have been printed, packed and verified. They are now ready for dispatch.

President Ram ChandraPaudel has shared that abuse of authority is not a minor mistake, it is a serious challenge upon the state's legitimacy and social justice.

Addressing a special program organized today on the occasion of the 35th Establishment Day of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), President Paudel said that the CIAA should pay attention to maintain good governance by fulfilling the assigned responsibilities.

He expressed the view that state's authorized bodies should work making people assure that no one could be exempted from legal accountability in the pretext of power and position. 

President Paudel argued, "Abuse of authority is not only the violation of law, but also a serious blow on citizen's trust, faith and future. It damages the bridge of trust between the state and citizens." 

"When public power is used for personal interest, the state's trust on citizens as well as citizens' trust towards the state becomes weak. It creates mistrust towards the rule of law, weakens faith in the law and undermines fundamental values of democracy," he underlined. 

The President mentioned that corruption could be rooted out if hunger of power, position and property wealth is controlled.

It is possible to combat and prevent corruption if good conduct, integrity, impartiality, transparency, and fearlessness are embraced as a way of life, the President said, adding that he wished to see greater effectiveness in policy, methods, technology, and attitudinal reforms, as well as the development of discipline and good conduct as a system.

Stating that accessible and efficient service delivery for citizens and the proper functioning of the Constitution through good governance are the desired goals of the Constitution, the Head of State said that voices have repeatedly been raised urging the authorities concerned to fulfill these aspirations. 

He made it clear that the recent youth movement was a demonstration of such expressions and desires, and called on everyone not to ignore these voices.

The President asserted that the fight against corruption is not the responsibility of any single institution; rather, it is a shared responsibility of all state apparatuses, political leadership, the bureaucracy, and civil society. According to the President, the fight against corruption will achieve its goals only through the joint commitment and coordinated actions of all these bodies.

“The struggle against the abuse of authority is ultimately a struggle for justice, equality, and good governance. Through this struggle, we can restore citizens’ trust in the system, strengthen democracy, and hand over a clean, competent, and reliable state to future generations.”

Strong political will is the first condition for combating corruption, the Head of State said, adding that he believes positive changes in the work culture of political officials will also guide the administrative sector toward greater accountability and integrity.

A total of 39 polling stations and centers have been established in Mustang, a mountainous district, for the House of Representatives (HoR) elections scheduled for March 5.

Mustang, which comprises five local levels, has the lowest number of voters—36—at the Samar Basic School polling center in Baragung Muktichhetra-3 Rural Municipality, according to the District Election Office.

Mustang has a single electoral constituency for the HoR elections, said District Election Officer Lokendra Gyawali. 

The Janahit Polling Center in Jomsom, located in Gharpajhong Rural Municipality-4, has the highest number of voters at 689.

The updated number of voters in the district for the 2026 HoR election is 11,328.

The Election Commission (EC) will launch a voter education program to reduce the number of invalid ballot papers. 

Training of trainers will start from today and the voter education program will be conducted in all 25 wards of the district, which is part of Gandaki Province.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who is also handling the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, is scheduled to present the 'Film Bill, 2081' in the meeting of the National Assembly later today. 

PM Karki is tabling the Bill in the upper house of the federal parliament at 1:15pm. Even a proposal for the passage of the Bill along with discussion will be presented on the occasion.

Moreover, the concerned ministers are responding to the queries relating to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration and the Finance Ministry. 

Chairperson of the Legislation Management Committee, Tulasa Kumari Dahal, is scheduled to present the annual financial report of the committee, 2081/82.

The Parliament business will also witness a proposal, seeking a discussion on a study report related to the delegated legislation committee.