Monitoring of Polling Stations Completed in Makwanpur for Upcoming Elections

Hetauda. With the objective of conducting the House of Representatives election on March 5 in a fear-free, impartial, and peaceful environment, on-site monitoring of polling stations has been carried out across nine local levels within the two electoral constituencies of Makwanpur.

A joint team including the District Election Officer, Chief District Officer, and heads of security agencies reported that they have completed inspections of polling stations in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, Thaha Municipality, and the rural municipalities of Makwanpurghadi, Bagmati, Bhimphedi, Raksirang, Kailash, Manahari, and Bakaiya.

During the monitoring, a detailed review was conducted regarding the physical condition of the polling stations, security management, access routes, voting booth management, communication links, and potential challenges.

Basanta Adhikari, the Chief District Officer of Makwanpur, informed that the monitoring of nine local levels in the district has been completed, noting that geographical difficulties are limited to only a few areas.

"Access is easy for most polling stations; however, one polling station in Bhimphedi lacks road access, requiring a journey on foot," he said.

According to Shyam Bahadur Khatri, Superintendent of Police and head of the District Police Office Makwanpur, the on-site inspections were carried out in most local levels considering security sensitivities. He stated that since communication links are available across the district, security preparations have been strengthened.

According to the District Administration Office, preparations are now underway to monitor polling stations in Indrasarowar Rural Municipality, located in the northern region. As part of pre-election preparations, discussions were held regarding the necessary security plan, management of ballot box and ballot paper transportation, geographical positioning, and local coordination.

The monitoring team included the Election Officer, Chief District Officer Basanta Adhikari, and heads of the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, National Investigation Department, and the Provincial Election Office. The team paid special attention to highly sensitive and sensitive polling stations and held interactions with local representatives and stakeholders.

There are a total of 167 polling stations in the district. Among them, the District Police Office has classified 19 polling stations as highly sensitive, 60 as sensitive, and 88 as normal. The 19 highly sensitive polling stations contain 26 polling centers.

Bakaiya Rural Municipality has the highest number of highly sensitive locations, with 5 polling stations and 7 polling centers. Other highly sensitive areas include 6 stations and 6 centers in Raksirang, 5 stations and 6 centers in Bagmati, 1 station and 3 centers in Bhimphedi, 1 station and 3 centers in Manahari, and 1 station and 1 center in Kailash.

The sensitive list includes 60 polling stations and 123 polling centers. In Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, 7 stations and 31 centers are classified as sensitive; in Thaha Municipality, 9 stations and 17 centers; in Raksirang, 13 stations and 17 centers; in Bakaiya, 8 stations and 15 centers; and in Bagmati, 7 stations and 17 centers.

Similarly, 4 stations and 7 centers in Makwanpurghadi, 2 stations and 2 centers in Indrasarowar, 4 stations and 4 centers in Bhimphedi, 3 stations and 5 centers in Kailash, and 3 stations and 8 centers in Manahari are on the sensitive list.

Makwanpur, which consists of two electoral constituencies, has a total of 315,334 voters. The District Security Committee stated that it has intensified necessary preparations to conduct the election in a secure, free, and fair manner.