EC directs health facilities to keep staff on standby for HoR elections
The Election Commission has mandated that hospitals and health facilities maintain health workers on standby for the upcoming House of Representatives elections set for March 5.
Emphasizing that the administrative processes for the elections are proceeding as per the Commission's approved schedule, the Commission has ordered that provisions be made for emergency health assistance at polling stations for staff, security forces, and voters who may require it during the elections, said Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, Joint Secretary and spokesperson for the Commission.
He mentioned that the Commission has sought necessary support from all local levels via the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration. Additionally, the Commission has communicated with the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration to ensure that doctors, health workers, and medical supplies are prepared in hospitals and health facilities nationwide to deliver essential and emergency medical services.
Security bodies inspect border polling stations in Sunsari ahead of HoR polls
In preparation for the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections, polling stations situated in the border region have been under surveillance.
To ensure a peaceful election process, security agencies from Koshi Province and Sunsari district initiated monitoring of these polling stations on Wednesday.
With the election date (March 5) drawing near, representatives from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and National Investigation Department have inspected the polling stations in the district, Sunsari Chief District Officer Basudev Ghimire said.
He noted that inspections were carried out at polling stations in Barju, Dewanganj, Harinagar, and the Koshi rural municipalities of Sunsari, which are adjacent to the Indian border.
Chief District Officer Ghimire elaborated that the inspections were aimed at collecting data on the physical conditions of the polling centers, identify sensitive areas, develop crowd management strategies, and prepare for emergency scenarios.
Security officials in Sunsari have pledged to remain on high alert throughout the election period to deter any unwanted incidents, it has been said.
Australian PM apologises after calling child sex abuse survivor and advocate 'difficult'
Australia's prime minister has apologised for calling a former Australian of the Year and sexual abuse survivor "difficult", saying it was only in reference to the hardships she has faced, BBC reported.
During a one-word response game, Anthony Albanese used the adjective to describe Grace Tame, who was named the 2021 Australian of the Year for her advocacy for child sexual abuse survivors.
Tame, 31, said the description was "misogynist's code for a woman who won't comply. History tends to call her 'courageous'."
New Zealand fight back to eliminate co-hosts Sri Lanka from T20 World Cup
New Zealand recovered from a poor start to crush Sri Lanka by 61 runs in the Twenty20 World Cup Super Eights and eliminate the co-hosts from the tournament on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Mitchell Santner led New Zealand's recovery with a captain's knock of 47 off 26 balls after coming in with his side in huge trouble at 84-5 to power them to a competitive 168-7 at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Sri Lanka managed 107-8 in reply, never recovering from a top-order collapse to succumb to their second defeat in the Super Eight stage of the 20-team tournament, according to Reuters.
