KHOTANG: As the House of Representatives (HoR) elections approach on Marc 5, 29 polling stations in Khotang and Myagdi have been identified as highly sensitive due to security concerns. Authorities have taken measures to ensure a safe and orderly voting process, with security deployment and monitoring arrangements already underway in both districts.
In Khotang, which has a single constituency for the House of Representatives, 136 polling stations have been established. According to Assistant Chief District Officer of Khotang, Kopila Rai, the polling stations have been categorized into three levels of sensitivity.
“Under the Integrated Security Plan for the House of Representatives elections, we inspected and monitored all polling stations. Based on the monitoring report, 21 stations have been classified as highly sensitive, 64 as sensitive, and 51 as normal,” he said.
Rai added that arrangements will be made to ensure voters can cast their ballots in a safe and fear-free environment. Security will be organized in three circles: the Nepal Army will cover the first circle, the Armed Police Force the second, and the Election Police along with the District Police the third. The district has a total of 147,120 registered voters.
Two monitoring officers have been appointed to oversee compliance with the election code of conduct and take action against violations. Assistant Chief District Officer Rai and Fund Controller Roma Pandey have been assigned this responsibility, focusing on both candidates and political parties.
Khotang, which has 10 local levels, has seen 15 nominations for the upcoming elections, including two independent candidates. Among the candidates are Birkaji Rai from Nepali Congress, Dev Bikram Rai from CPN-UML, Dr. Hari Roka from NCP, Rudra Giri from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rakesh Rai from Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP), Deepak Tamang from Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Sunil Chamling from JSP Nepal, Aren Rai from Shram Sanskriti Party, Chandra Budhathoki ‘Shailesh’ from CPN (Maoist), Dhyan Prasad Dhakal from Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Miresh Rai from National Parivartan Party, Prayag Rai from Mongol National Organization Party, and Kesharman Chamling from Miteri Party Nepal. Independent candidates Dr. Rajkumar Rai and Tilak Chandra Rai have also filed their nominations, according to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer.
Likewise, in Myagdi, eight polling stations have been classified as highly sensitive for the House of Representatives elections. The District Security Committee has categorized 29 of the 82 polling stations in the district as sensitive and 45 as general.
A total of 120 polling booths have been set up across these 82 stations, covering six local levels and 45 wards. Chief District Officer Rabindra Acharya explained that polling stations were classified based on previous election activities, geographical location, transportation and communication accessibility, and other infrastructure considerations.
Some of the polling stations, including those in Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-1 Gurja and 4 Bagar, Annapurna Rural Municipality-8 Nangi, and Raghuganga Rural Municipality-8 Kuinekhani, are located in remote and difficult-to-access areas. A team of security officials, including Chief Election Officer Surya Bahadur Thapa and Pradya Acharya, completed the final inspection of the polling stations.
The District Election Office reported that a total of 86,397 voters are registered in Myagdi, including 42,232 males, 44,064 females, and one other. Eleven political party candidates and one independent candidate are contesting in the district. Notable candidates include Karna Bahadur Bhandari from Nepali Congress, Harikrishna Shrestha from CPN (UML), Arjun Thapa from the Nepali Communist Party, and independent candidate Mahabir Pun.
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