EC puts preliminary voter turnout of first phase polls at 65 per cent
AMN / KATHMANDU
First phase of parliamentary and provincial elections in Nepal has ended peacefully today. Polling for 37 constituencies of House of Representatives and 74 seats of Provincial Assemblies was held in 32 districts today.
As per preliminary estimate 65 percent voters exercised their franchise in the first phase. Barring few minor incidents of clashes polling was by and large peaceful.
It was a historic day for the people of Nepal as first time federal elections were held in the country. Voters of hilly and mountainous districts enthusiastically participated in the elections. Despite of severe cold people reached polling centres before 7 o’clock.
Female votres turned out in large numbers. Fate of 702 candidates including Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and former Deputy PM Narayan Kaji Shrestha have been sealed in the ballot boxes. Now all eyes are on second and final round of elections scheduled on December 7 in remaining 45 districts.
It is learnt that Nepal Army will take care of the ballot boxes till the completion of second phase of elections. The vote counting will begin after the completion of second phase polls.