Locals boycott elections in Okhaldhunga
Not a single voter had cast a ballot by noon at the polling station at Shahid Smriti Basic School in Manebhanjyang-7, Okhaldhunga District. The polling center, which has 701 registered voters, remained empty during the House of Representatives election.
Locals said they decided to boycott the vote after the government failed to move forward with plans to build a provincial hospital in Harkpur, Toksel. Residents had earlier provided about 167 ropanis of land for the project but say construction has not begun.
Chief Election Officer Hari Prasad Koirala said election staff were present at the center but no voters had arrived. Officials said if no voters turn up by the closing time, the staff deployed as temporary voters will cast ballots to formally close the polling process.
All prisoners cast votes in Jhapa
Voting has been completed at the temporary polling station inside Jhapa Prison in Bhadrapur with 100 percent turnout. Election officials said 108 people, including 107 prisoners and the prison chief, cast their votes under the proportional representation system.
According to the District Election Office Jhapa, all 107 prisoners listed in the final voter roll participated in the voting process. Prison chief Rewant Bhattarai confirmed that the ballot box had been sealed after voting.
10.18 percent voting done by 11am
About 10.18 percent of voters had cast their ballots nationwide by 11am in the House of Representatives election in Nepal. Officials said 1,923,824 votes had been recorded by that time.
According to Election Commission Nepal spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, polling is continuing across the country as voter turnout gradually increases.
A total of 18,903,689 voters are registered in the election, including 9,663,358 men, 9,240,131 women and 200 voters listed under other categories.
Free airport shuttle service provided
Nepal Tourism Board has provided a free shuttle bus service to help domestic and international passengers travel during the election. The service is aimed at travelers using Tribhuvan International Airport.
The buses will operate from 5am to 7pm across major areas of the Kathmandu Valley. The board said the service is intended to reduce possible travel difficulties on election day and ensure passengers reach the airport on time.
Multiple routes will connect tourist hubs, hotels and key city locations with the airport. Acting Director Sunil Sharma urged travelers to use the shuttle service for safe and convenient movement during the polls.
